2. amps-preamps
  3. 1326119143

pass labs xa30 to valve amplifier.

hi all, i have the above amplifier direct to droplet cd player and zingali 20.6 ( i think thats model number) , chord anthem 2 xlr and epic speaker cable. no preamp as droplet has volume control.

ive been thinking of valve amps recently, but have never been able to hear one. the pass is excellent but i was wondering how a valve amp would change the sound. would a valve one have the same level of clarity and detail? i have heard valve amps offer a more laid back, spacial sound, with emphasis on soundstage? wht kind of price range should i be looking at to better the pass? any thought?
james123
james123 OP
61 posts
 
thank you for the response. im pretty sure my zingalis will be able to be driven by the s30. i will double check with the dealer. with 30 watts from the pass it can go really loud.

yes, lots of people have moved over to them in the uk too , it seems. i dont know anyone personally though, so its really good to get advise and pointers here. dealers , of course, only carry a very limited number of products so of course they would not recommend other products they do not deal in.

thanks
pubul57
3,712 posts
 
Well, either way, you will own some very fine equipment, with what you have, or what you are considering; everything mentioned on this thread could be the basis of an excellent system, so I don't think you going to wrong with the options you are considering, once you get the preamp or no preamp issue resolved.
koestner
683 posts
 
Well, I wish you lived near Florida. I own the Cary SLI-80 F1 and have been kicking around the idea to try an XA30.5

I guess the grass is always greener on the other side. Anyway good luck, I hear OTL tubes sound great, but my speakers are 4 Ohm 92 DB and 7 drivers (Montana XP) and was thinking that a good solid state amp could control them better.
pubul57
3,712 posts
 
Your speaker seems well suited for what SS can provide - current and damping- good thing air-condition is readily available in Florida - though, I would say the M60s threw off more heat than the XA30.5. There must be a Agoner XA30.5 owner somewhere in Florida.
dgad
782 posts
 
XA30.5 is excellent. As mentioned above the Atmasphere might not be what you are looking for. They are not bloomy. Also, in my case a fine tube preamp will do the trick. Pass can sound more valvy than most tube amps. To get more bloom you might sacrifice detail. Be careful as you might be going sideways at best.
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