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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
magfan
1,583 posts
 
Multi-way speakers with complex crossovers DO eat up power. The phase angle and impedance both need to be factored in when choosing an amp....at least on paper.
Big impedance swings with a hi phase angle at some low dip in impedance is a recipe for 'Don't Buy Tubes'.....

That's why, IMO, the 'conventional wisdom' of Maggies being a bad load is a bunch of hooie. They mainly resistive or moderate phase angle nature of most of 'em make it a reasonable load for amps which can be happy with the lowish impedance and sensitivity.
pubul57
3,712 posts
 
Ralph, I also think the XA30.5 is very conservatively rated, but one might still need the more powerful XA amps, even with "sensitive" speakers if they loaded up with drivers and x-overs. I think, but I'm not sure, that ight be the case with Pettyfeversk's speakers and why moving up the power chain with Pass has proven to be a worthy improvement for him.
magfan
1,583 posts
 
Yes, pub, per the Stereophile measurments linked above, it'll go to 130@8 and nearly 200@4.....
However, at that point you're clearly in A/B.
james123 OP
61 posts
 
hi. isnt the pass xa30.5 pure class a? i thought it was.
pubul57
3,712 posts
 
I think it switches at some point to B for handling peak power demand - I'm sure it is addressed in the Stereophile review, perhaps Magfan can confirm the data from Atkinson's tests.
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