Pass vs McCormack?

Jim- As I think about your question, it occurs to me that you have nothing to lose by asking Steve McCormack and Nelson Pass that question directly. You can reach the former through SMc Audio (he does post on this site on occasion but unfortunately we can no longer PM each other) and the latter through the DIY sites. Neither of them has a significant financial interest and they both have a strong reputation for honesty, integrity and openness in their dealings with the public. If you decide to do so, I'd ask you to ask them for permission to post their comments.

Swampwalker, that is a good idea. I in fact called SMC this week and didn't get Steve, but his partner (Chris?), who talked to me for a long time about the upgrade options.
At times like this I just wish I lived in a big city.

Jim

I have heard McCormack at a dealer. Liked it, but it had a somewhat forward sound and a little bit of glare in the treble, although I notice this sort of thing more than most, as I am very sensitive to anything that sounds remotely bright. And, admittedly the sound quality may have been affected by speakers being used -- Gallo Ref 3.5s. (This was also a stock McCormack I heard, not a modded unit.)

I own a Pass150.5, which I like better than what I recall of the McCormack. The Pass has excellent detail and a bit of warmth at medium volumes when it is operating in Class A. Pass also has great bass. I used to own a VAC Phi 200, a very good tube amp, and like the Pass better, for whatever that's worth. If you listen to rock music, the Pass is really excellent.

IMHO, and to keep it brief, the biggest difference is that the McCormack amps tend to be forward of neutral, the Pass amps are incredibly neutral. Depending(!) on your speakers, budget and/or listening preferences either can be an excellent choice.

Oops, my first response was referring to the latest Pass amps, the earlier Aleph and some of the Pass First Watt amps are quite different, some being quite recessed IMHO.