Agree with Samzx12. I have an ARC LS25 Mk I with GNSC ref mod driving the Pass X350.5. Speakers are Verity Parsifal Encores. No problem with impedance issue. Prior to getting my amp, I had listen to it in a side-by-side comparison with the X-350 at a friend's house. Speakers were Avalons. We had also compared the ARC Ref 2 Mk I and the Pass X0.2 driving the X350.5 at a later date.
Next to the X350.5, all 4 guys conducting the test that day agreed that the X350 sounded bright, cold, and "solid state", while the .5 version had the signature warmth and musicality that Pass had been known for. The difference, we all thought, warranted more than a ".5" upgrade status.
The X0.2 preamp sounded more tube like than the stock ARC Ref 2 Mk I. All the other 3 panelists voted for my friend to keep the Pass pre and ditch the ARC. But I voted for the ARC. My reason was that if he replace the Sovtek tubes with some NOS tubes, the ARC would have more of that tube magic in the midrange.
I've just had that experience myself. I had just moved back into my house in May after a 2-year major remodel. My system now sits in a dedicated room. I had plugged in some early Rusian tubes into my LS-25 and forgot all about it. I thought my system sounded a bit lifeless and dry in my new room. About a month ago, while I was cleaning I realized that I had Russian tubes in my pre. I swapped them out with some Amperex 6DJ8s and now it sounded much better.
FrankC
Next to the X350.5, all 4 guys conducting the test that day agreed that the X350 sounded bright, cold, and "solid state", while the .5 version had the signature warmth and musicality that Pass had been known for. The difference, we all thought, warranted more than a ".5" upgrade status.
The X0.2 preamp sounded more tube like than the stock ARC Ref 2 Mk I. All the other 3 panelists voted for my friend to keep the Pass pre and ditch the ARC. But I voted for the ARC. My reason was that if he replace the Sovtek tubes with some NOS tubes, the ARC would have more of that tube magic in the midrange.
I've just had that experience myself. I had just moved back into my house in May after a 2-year major remodel. My system now sits in a dedicated room. I had plugged in some early Rusian tubes into my LS-25 and forgot all about it. I thought my system sounded a bit lifeless and dry in my new room. About a month ago, while I was cleaning I realized that I had Russian tubes in my pre. I swapped them out with some Amperex 6DJ8s and now it sounded much better.
FrankC
