Pass X350.8 In The House!

[Mike]

I totally disagree, I have the X260.8's driving my Revel Studio II's and if anything they are less 'sterile' than the 350.8 IMO.

Remember this, the 260.8 amps are biased into Class A operation further than any of the other Pass A/B amps with the exception of the big '600'

This was coming from Pass. Every time I ask them about the 260.8's, they refer me to the 350.8 instead.

The 260.8's are superb I'm sure and my next Pass amps will be monos - 260.8 or 600.8


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[joeinid]

I was wondering about those amps. Wow! Glad you love them.

I totally disagree, I have the X260.8's driving my Revel Studio II's and if anything they are less 'sterile' than the 350.8 IMO.

Remember this, the 260.8 amps are biased into Class A operation further than any of the other Pass A/B amps with the exception of the big '600'

[La Dolce Vita]

I've recently acquired this amazing amp from Mike.

Damn him!!!

He shipped it to me to demo and compare to my incredible Hegel H30.

While both are amazing amps and each one has it's strengths, the Pass has better synergy in my system.

I will get into more detail when I get back from vacation.

But I will say that this is the first amp I've preferred to the H30, which is world class!

Congratulations Mark. So very happy for you and am glad you're enjoying it so! Enjoy your vacation...



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[AJR]

I just listened to the X350.8 with the Audio Research Ref 6 pre amp and Sonus Faber Il Cremonese Wow, wow, wow. Amazingly sweet and musical but still detailed and fully controlled sound. I went in hoping to audition the INT-250 but they had just sold their demo. Has now got me thinking that I should try the X350.8 (or even X250.8) and Ref 6 combo with my Magico S3 mk2s. And then compare that to the Gryphon Diablo 300. A big price difference between the two systems and maybe I don’t need all the power that the X350.8 provides, and my general preference is an integrated. Will still be a very interesting comparison. Will let everyone know how I get on.

[Kuoppis]

I just listened to the X350.8 with the Audio Research Ref 6 pre amp and Sonus Faber Il Cremonese Wow, wow, wow. Amazingly sweet and musical but still detailed and fully controlled sound. I went in hoping to audition the INT-250 but they had just sold their demo. Has now got me thinking that I should try the X350.8 (or even X250.8) and Ref 6 combo with my Magico S3 mk2s. And then compare that to the Gryphon Diablo 300. A big price difference between the two systems and maybe I don’t need all the power that the X350.8 provides, and my general preference is an integrated. Will still be a very interesting comparison. Will let everyone know how I get on.

Great setup. I bet it was nice.

I also had the opportunity to audition the X250.8 yesterday. I understand it is a little sweeter compared to the X350.8, not giving much away in that respect to the XA60.8 monos.

I would be interested in your impressions if you have a chance to audition either one with the S3 mk2s. My demo was yesterday with older S5 mk1s and it is just amazing how huge the difference to the S3 mk2 is: I just heard tweeters, midrange and woofers.


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[AJR]

Travis - I will be very interested to see how it compares to the Gryphon too. I should have my Gryphon gear in September. The only new Gryphon gear in the U.S. is with the distributor as he needed to get things in and breaking in for RMAF.

Mike - pulling up an earlier question. Would love to hear your take given how much you love the Diablo 300.

Cost differential in Singapore is a little less than double (ie the X350.8 plus the Ref 6 costs almost double the Diablo 300). So the former would have to be WAY better than the latter to justify.

[owldiscourse]

I just listened to the X350.8 with the Audio Research Ref 6 pre amp and Sonus Faber Il Cremonese Wow, wow, wow. Amazingly sweet and musical but still detailed and fully controlled sound. I went in hoping to audition the INT-250 but they had just sold their demo. Has now got me thinking that I should try the X350.8 (or even X250.8) and Ref 6 combo with my Magico S3 mk2s. And then compare that to the Gryphon Diablo 300. A big price difference between the two systems and maybe I don’t need all the power that the X350.8 provides, and my general preference is an integrated. Will still be a very interesting comparison. Will let everyone know how I get on.

I'm using the 350.8 with the Magico S3mk2 and I have to say some recent changes in my system as well as the speakers starting to break in (@ 500+hrs) that my respect for this speaker/amp combo has grown immensely. Like certain gear out there that evinces almost unlimited capability to get better and better the more you improve your system and care and feeding setup this combo is virtually unlimited in its capacity to amaze. I do feed them direct from a Bricasti M1SE DAC and just don't feel the need to have any preamp in the mix getting in the way with this combo - and I'm a huge tube guy. It's stunningly resolving across all the major audiophile superlatives. Adding dedicated lines, PC's and source upgrades are all clearly audible and obvious but always musical. I hear a huge, detailed, deep tight powerful soundstage in my room (although I do have to play around with REW some more to optimize the Magico's placement for a flatter FR in room). I did hear a friend's Pass Integrated with Magico S's and felt that was underpowered. He upgraded to the 350.8 and his S1s entered into a completely different league. When I upgraded to the 350.8 I thought the amp was a little slow and dark at first but it was actually my front end computer audio setup and PCs. After a front end improvement it's quite apparent that the PASS 350.8 is a chameleon and a great match for the S3Mk2 that can give the eerie sense of musicians in the room creating music right in front of you, not some high-end sound reproduction system. This is rare and I've only heard this a couple of times in 40 years of this hobby and it's quite strange when you do hear it for the first time, but then you simply CANNOT get enough!

[AJR]

I'm using the 350.8 with the Magico S3mk2 and I have to say some recent changes in my system as well as the speakers starting to break in (@ 500+hrs) that my respect for this speaker/amp combo has grown immensely. Like certain gear out there that evinces almost unlimited capability to get better and better the more you improve your system and care and feeding setup this combo is virtually unlimited in its capacity to amaze. I do feed them direct from a Bricasti M1SE DAC and just don't feel the need to have any preamp in the mix getting in the way with this combo - and I'm a huge tube guy. It's stunningly resolving across all the major audiophile superlatives. Adding dedicated lines, PC's and source upgrades are all clearly audible and obvious but always musical. I hear a huge, detailed, deep tight powerful soundstage in my room (although I do have to play around with REW some more to optimize the Magico's placement for a flatter FR in room). I did hear a friend's Pass Integrated with Magico S's and felt that was underpowered. He upgraded to the 350.8 and his S1s entered into a completely different league. When I upgraded to the 350.8 I thought the amp was a little slow and dark at first but it was actually my front end computer audio setup and PCs. After a front end improvement it's quite apparent that the PASS 350.8 is a chameleon and a great match for the S3Mk2 that can give the eerie sense of musicians in the room creating music right in front of you, not some high-end sound reproduction system. This is rare and I've only heard this a couple of times in 40 years of this hobby and it's quite strange when you do hear it for the first time, but then you simply CANNOT get enough!

Awesome post.

It did occur to me that I could reduce the all-in cost by ditching the pre-amp and instead buy a single box DAC+streamer+pre-amp (I am an all-digital guy).

My Pass Labs dealer has Aurender but (under cross examination!) recommended an outboard DAC + Aurender N10 as he thought the DAC in the A10 is merely “ok”.

At the moment, my first choice is Gryphon Diablo 300 + Diablo DAC + Lumin U1 or Aurender N10. If I could find a single box DAC+streamer+pre-amp for about US$12k, then the X350.8 becomes viable for me as that system would be price competitive with a Diablo 300 + Diablo 300 DAC + Lumin/Aurender streamer.

[AJR]

I did hear a friend's Pass Integrated with Magico S's and felt that was underpowered. He upgraded to the 350.8 and his S1s entered into a completely different league.

What was the integrated that was underpowered? 60 or 250?

[owldiscourse]

Awesome post.

It did occur to me that I could reduce the all-in cost by ditching the pre-amp and instead buy a single box DAC+streamer+pre-amp (I am an all-digital guy).

My Pass Labs dealer has Aurender but (under cross examination!) recommended an outboard DAC + Aurender N10 as he thought the DAC in the A10 is merely “ok”.

At the moment, my first choice is Gryphon Diablo 300 + Diablo DAC + Lumin U1 or Aurender N10. If I could find a single box DAC+streamer+pre-amp for about US$12k, then the X350.8 becomes viable for me as that system would be price competitive with a Diablo 300 + Diablo 300 DAC + Lumin/Aurender streamer.

If I had that budget I'd consider the Bricasti M12 streaming DAC/ 1 analog input Pre for its native DSD and superlative analog and digital volume control. I'd upgrade from the M1SE if I had the budget myself but have blown my wad, LOL. If you don't need the analog input then the M1SE is killer for the money especially with the Ethernet streamer card option. That being said I've been out of audio for some time focusing on high end HT so I have not heard all the latest SOTA digital like (which is rare to see in the U.S.) but know of some that prefer the M1SE to the Berkely Alpha DAC and put it up there with just about anything including the big DCS stacks.The M12 is a step up from M1. When you consider the price to me it is a no brainer.

[aRui]

I've recently acquired this amazing amp from Mike.

Damn him!!!

He shipped it to me to demo and compare to my incredible Hegel H30.

While both are amazing amps and each one has it's strengths, the Pass has better synergy in my system.

I will get into more detail when I get back from vacation.

But I will say that this is the first amp I've preferred to the H30, which is world class!

I looked for info about the X260.8 and X350.8 for my Revel Salon 2s and jumped to this very old thread. Glad to hear that besides the X260.8, X350.8 is superb for Revel. Gotta be a tough decision between these 2 in the next few days. I think Im gonna make an order on the X350.8 too!

[joeinid]

X350.8 is a superb choice, I know you will love it.

A couple of friends had one, sounds great.

[Ritmo]

I listened to a friend’s Salon 2s with the Pass 350.8. This is a terrific match. Very musical with plenty of detail, nice stage and good lower end. A very nice match indeed.

[louawalters]

Hi Everyone, Been lurking on this forum for a while. I think this is my 6th post. Anyone here have Pass X350.8 with Von Schweikert Loudspeakers? I have VR5 Anniversary MK 2.5s. Currently use BHK Signature Preamp and NuPrime Evolution One Monos. Listen to most every type of music but a large majority is Rock Music. Appreciate any guidance.

Lou

[joeinid]

Happy to see you Lou.