Krell Evolution or Pass XA.5 series

Well I had the Pass X600.5 side by side to the Krell EVO402 in my system. In my system they sounded much alike. The new EVO line is much more musical than the old series. However the typical Krell bass is also gone with the new EVO line.

The Pass was better in the bass and also in the mids. The Krell sounded a little cleaner but also leaner. In the end the Pass was just better in my system.

But the EVO402 is a very good amp and does sound much better than the older 400CX but at about 1.5 times the price also.

My friend tried the XA series next to the EVO and the XA series have better bass than the new EVO402. Krell went away from what made them famous. In the mids the XA also won. On very demanding speakers the Krell might be a better choise but on average the Pass XA series just sound better.

Peter

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.

Well, Since I had Pass labs x.250.5 and experience with xa series,plus, I have been living with Krell EVO 402 for more than 2 years. I think I have the right to tell a word:
I don't like statements such as A is better than B.
I can't say Krell is better than Pass. Simply because both are different. I can not compare. The important thing is what kind of presentation that you are looking for? What type of speakers you have? 4 ohm or less? or you have tube preamp and you need a descent solid state power in order to recompensate some tube related undesired outcomes, or you think that your cables have a house sound of lean or weak bass, than, answer is Krell for cure. If not Pass will be just fine.

This is a very old thread of mine. Not as relevant as it was. I happen to find the Pass XA series to be excellent but the Krell EVO line very life like in speed and transparency. I never heard the Pass XA on medium efficiency speakers that go down to 3 ohms. But the XA30.5 I heard on some monitors was something of a special seductive sound. The best I heard Krell EVO was on their Modulari speakers. Something special but leaning away from organic towards the transparent/neutral side of things. Maybe a touch cold in comparison. But these are short listening opportunities that came up under unfamiliar conditions. Speakers at the time were Maxx 2s.