Krell Evolution or Pass XA.5 series

Tvad,

I am just trying to remember what I read. Not sure exactly what they meant. I would love to get some input from others if they have compared the Evolution Series to the Pass XA series. I wouldn't ask if I have. I have heard the Evolution in unfamiliar systems. One time it sounded incredible, a 2nd time very good & a 3rd time poor. Pass XA series I have not heard, but I have heard X series and thought it not special.

Good bass, controlled bass. Micro and macro dynamics. The talk of highten bass towards mid and highs. Nah, forget that. That is simply a user, using speakers that are not suited for the room. The Krell amps drive the bassdrivers in a manner most would only dream of. There are many amp-makers that talk of the evolution of their brand. I have used Krell and many more, back in the days and heard Pass Labs. I would go for Krell. There are many krell-dislikers. Don't care about them. Of all the amps i've heard, older Krell amps simply rules in some specific key areas. The later amps are statement amps. The EVO amps are superb. I would not trade them if i had them.
Just listening to a good, or bad recording will reveal absolute inner detail in the bass area (hear they are true ref amps) . Most other amps will not do that. Also, the Krell amps are completely silent, no hum or background noise at all (no bass bloom either). Pass Labs, with all respect, i would listen myself. If i could not do that, i would go Krell because you will not go wrong with those amps you talk of. What is a thing to learn about the Krell is that they will not make bloom as with Pass. It is simply a manner of how you would like it. If you use speakers that has a tendency to sound cold or harsch you might like bloomy sound. But the later Krells are not cold or harsch at all. The c series and older could be hard in tone, but not from cx and forward. I firmy believe, if you have not used a Krell amp of that magnitude, you are in for a serious experience that is only possitive.
I seriously hope you see to it that you demop a EVO amp, you will be hooked directly.

I would love to see more comments on this post. I am considering an Evolution 302 or 402 (not the "e" version $$). I own a Pass amp and have owned others in the past. I think the Pass amps do best when in Class A mode and suffer when they move out of A and into A/B. So it is my belief that if going with a Pass amp that is not pure class A, one must keep in mind how much power they really need for their primary listening habits and then buy the Pass amp that delivers in Class A to the power range they need. Under this scenario, Pass amps are great. Forcing them into A/B mode for much of ones listening may likely result in a lower level of satisfaction. I am sure there will be Pass fans who disagree with this assessment, but it is based on what I have experienced.

Ckoffend,
Do you own an XA.5 series amp or one of the older series? I agree with you about Pass Class A. I've owned many but never any of the X series.