Anyone Hear the New .8 Amps Yet

**MDP** · July 21, 2015, 12:50 PM

I'm pretty sure you will love it, let us know.

**alfa100** · August 15, 2015, 07:12 AM

Having ordered the Xa100.8 without listening and reading early posts in this thread made me doubt my purchase.
Reading to the end is reassuring . I too have the Wilson Audio Sasha.
i would like to know whether the Xa100.8 improved after 300 hours and is is still rated at B and how it compared to the Constellation Audio.

**alfa100** · November 23, 2015, 07:53 PM

My Xa 100.8 arrived a few days ago and after tweaking my system i can report that the Pass Labs Xa 100.8 is excellent.
Burned in , repositioned the Sashas and enjoying the music.
Terrific improvement over the Xa 30.5 across the frequency range yet preserving proportion between tops, mids bass and low bass.
Fulfilled my expectations.

**joeinid** · November 23, 2015, 08:35 PM

Congratulations alfa! So happy for you.

**madfloyd** · November 23, 2015, 08:43 PM

Fantastic news!

**alfa100** · December 6, 2015, 06:15 PM

Originally Posted by madfloyd

Fantastic news!

thank you Madfloyd and joeinid

**marco1** · December 17, 2015, 11:43 PM

Originally Posted by alfa100

My Xa 100.8 arrived a few days ago and after tweaking my system i can report that the Pass Labs Xa 100.8 is excellent.
Burned in , repositioned the Sashas and enjoying the music.
Terrific improvement over the Xa 30.5 across the frequency range yet preserving proportion between tops, mids bass and low bass.
Fulfilled my expectations.

I'm a very happy recent Pass convert using an Int 30a (at least to start). Also thinking about the Sasha's. Both the factory and my local Wilson dealer think the Int. 30a will work just fine. Do you also feel there's a significant difference across the frequency range between the two while listening at lower volume levels?

**alfa100** · December 18, 2015, 05:49 PM

Originally Posted by marco1

I'm a very happy recent Pass convert using an Int 30a (at least to start). Also thinking about the Sasha's. Both the factory and my local Wilson dealer think the Int. 30a will work just fine. Do you also feel there's a significant difference across the frequency range between the two while listening at lower volume levels?

At lower volume levels in a medium to small room my Xa 30.5 sounded magical. Im sure the Int 30 has the same character and power.
The XA 100.8 sounds more dynamic and has better lower bass .
Had i not experienced the Xa 100.8 i could have lived with the Xa 30.5 forever. At the price point i think it is unbeatable.
You cannot go wrong with Int 30 and Sasha in a reasonable sized room at an enjoyable volume.

**kkfan** · December 18, 2015, 06:08 PM

Has no one heard the INT-250 yet?

I have looked around the Net but could not find any professional reviews on either of the new integrated amps.

**rbbert** · December 18, 2015, 06:43 PM

Posiitive Feedback reviewed the INT60; there's a topic on that in this forum

**kkfan** · December 18, 2015, 07:43 PM

Originally Posted by rbbert

Posiitive Feedback reviewed the INT60; there's a topic on that in this forum

Oops!

I forgot about that one! Thanks for the reminder.

But still surprised to see no take on the INT-250. Do you suppose it's not too well received? Or is it still too early?

**mazzialk** · December 18, 2015, 08:28 PM

Ive had a few pass stuff and I found them every time to be just to lay back and missing a bit of "fun".

Last time I put the x250 against a kharma mp150 monos at 100 watts (d) and the kharmas outperformed.

The 500 watt @ 4 ohm of pass just could not keep up with the 150 watt @ 4 ohm of the kharmas.
The speed /transparancy and controle of the kharmas just bashed the big x250 into the ground.

Ive had a lots of gears as I am a gear swapper and pass just never rocked my world compared to some other amps.

Cheers maz

Verstuurd vanaf mijn GT-I9505 met Tapatalk

**alfa100** · December 18, 2015, 08:30 PM

Originally Posted by mazzialk

Ive had a few pass stuff and I found them every time to be just to lay back and missing a bit of "fun".

Last time I put the x250 against a kharma mp150 monos at 100 watts (d) and the kharmas outperformed.

The 500 watt @ 4 ohm of pass just could not keep up with the 150 watt @ 4 ohm of the kharmas.
The speed /transparancy and controle of the kharmas just bashed the big x250 into the ground.

Ive had a lots of gears as I am a gear swapper and pass just never rocked my world compared to some other amps.

Cheers maz

Verstuurd vanaf mijn GT-I9505 met Tapatalk

Which Pass Labs amplifiers did you compare to the Kharma?

**mazzialk** · December 18, 2015, 08:34 PM

The x250 /the int150/the x150x5 and
And they all just didn't do the job or didn't match in the set.
The only Pass I liked was the Pass ALEPH OS , that one did wel with the ML38S.

Verstuurd vanaf mijn GT-I9505 met Tapatalk

**mazzialk** · December 18, 2015, 08:44 PM

Originally Posted by alfa100

Which Pass Labs amplifiers did you compare to the Kharma?

Congrats with the New pass.

Pass are great built and look verry beautifull.
I have not heard the New series but have heard and had a few older ones and for my taste bit lay back and Slow.

Ofcourse the performance of the set depends on the setting and equipment and the synergy of the complete set and u can not blame the bad matching on just one peace of equipment because it doesn't give the best result in the setting.

**marco1** · December 18, 2015, 09:47 PM

Not sure how the separates may compare to the karmas but both the int60 & 250 intrigue me. I've just gotten into pass with the int30a which I like immensely. My understanding is that the 60 and 250 bring the .8 series to the integrated line. I think this is kind of unique particularly when you consider their price point compared to such things as boulder, d'augustino and some of the other high end intergrated players. I recently listened to both while auditioning Wilson and must say I think the Pass stacks up very nicely(again) considering their price point.

**kkfan** · December 18, 2015, 09:57 PM

Originally Posted by marco1

Not sure how the separates may compare to the karmas but both the int60 & 250 intrigue me. I've just gotten into pass with the int30a which I like immensely. My understanding is that the 60 and 250 bring the .8 series to the integrated line. I think this is kind of unique particularly when you consider their price point compared to such things as boulder, d'augustino and some of the other high end intergrated players. I recently listened to both while auditioning Wilson and must say I think the Pass stacks up very nicely(again) considering their price point.

Do you mean you heard both 60 and 250 side by side? If so, do you remember how they compared with each other?

**marco1** · December 18, 2015, 10:04 PM

No heard the boulder and d'agustino integrated while auditioning Sasha's. I like my int 30a.

**kkfan** · December 18, 2015, 10:45 PM

Originally Posted by marco1

No heard the boulder and d'agustino integrated while auditioning Sasha's. I like my int 30a.

Wow!

Pass stacking up with D'Agostino? THAT'S quite a statement for Pass!

**marco1** · December 18, 2015, 11:34 PM

Don't get me wrong. They as well as boulder were very nice with the Sasha's. And I have not had the opportunity to audition my pass with Sasha's( thus my prior question to Alfa). My point is considering the disparity in price between the int 250 and the boulder and d'augostino, the Pass would be a very worthy contender.

**marco1** · December 18, 2015, 11:36 PM

Please pardon my spelling. Working from my phone.

**alfa100** · December 19, 2015, 07:21 PM

Originally Posted by mazzialk

The x250 /the int150/the x150x5 and
And they all just didn't do the job or didn't match in the set.
The only Pass I liked was the Pass ALEPH OS , that one did wel with the ML38S.

Verstuurd vanaf mijn GT-I9505 met Tapatalk

Hi Mazzialk
i believe the Xa.5 or Xa .8 series is in another league compared to the X series. You might like these.

**mazzialk** · December 20, 2015, 04:41 AM

Originally Posted by alfa100

Hi Mazzialk
i believe the Xa.5 or Xa .8 series is in another league compared to the X series. You might like these.

Hi alfa

I really tried to keep a pass in my system as I find them verry beautifull and impressing amps but (the old pass) just could not give the dynamic drive and speed I needed compared to some other amps in the same price tag.

Hopefully the New pass labs are a bit more vivid and "alive" with a bit more controle , speed and a dryer base.
I have not heard one yet but im looking forward to auditio one.

**jazzmatazz** · December 20, 2015, 11:25 AM

I can't really speak to how my Pass XA30.8 amp compares to other Pass models or any other SS amps for that matter--it is the first SS amp I've ever owned. But I can speak to how it compared to my formerly beloved Shindo GM 70 mono blocks (20 watt SET). It edged them out in my in-home listening audition that lasted over three months. I was turned on to the the XA30.8 by Jack Roberts' review in Dagogo, where, after much consternation that any solid state amp could sound this good, they finally replaced his long time reference WAVAC 300b amps. Mine were demos and supposedly burned in. So when I began the listening comparison I doubted Jack for the first time (he turned me onto to Hi Fidelity cables); I mean they were good, certainly better bass and mid bass authority. But it wasn't until I put another 50 or so hours on them that they began to have the air, depth, and this incredible tonal correctness that made me sit up and say, wait a minute. So back and forth I went, a little incredulous that I was seriously comparing this SS metal beast to my beautiful, glowing GM 70's. I won't bore you with other audiophile terms; suffice to say it got to the point that I much preferred listening to the XA 30.8 on all types of music. Honestly, it was hard to swallow, considering how much musical joy the GM 70's have brought me. Maybe the XA30.8 is special: maybe the more powerful .8 amps wouldn't be able to knock off a world class SET amp. I don't know. Nelson Pass says in the "white paper" included with the amp that each one of the .8's will have different characteristics--and of course different interactions with pre-amps and speakers. But his XA30.8 makes unexpected magic with my Shindo preamp and my Shindo speakers (over 100db sensitivity). They combine the SET type air, delicacy, and presence of the GM70's with unwavering control and tonal exactness that makes it hard for me to imagine there's a more musical amplifier out there for my system.

**audio.bill** · December 20, 2015, 11:52 AM

jazzmatazz - Welcome to AudioShark! I find your comments on the Pass XA30.8 to be very interesting, as I haven't yet heard their *.8 series amps. Based upon your description and the fact that they replaced your very highly regarded Shindo amps I look forward to checking them out when I have the opportunity.

**jazzmatazz** · December 20, 2015, 12:00 PM

Thanks, audio.bill. Look forward to hearing your impressions.

**Loop4fun** · December 20, 2015, 07:49 PM

Yep, I noted his review as well. I almost bit, but went with the 300b's I'd always wanted instead. Good review. Thanks!

Originally Posted by jazzmatazz

I can't really speak to how my Pass XA30.8 amp compares to other Pass models or any other SS amps for that matter--it is the first SS amp I've ever owned. But I can speak to how it compared to my formerly beloved Shindo GM 70 mono blocks (20 watt SET). It edged them out in my in-home listening audition that lasted over three months. I was turned on to the the XA30.8 by Jack Roberts' review in Dagogo, where, after much consternation that any solid state amp could sound this good, they finally replaced his long time reference WAVAC 300b amps. Mine were demos and supposedly burned in. So when I began the listening comparison I doubted Jack for the first time (he turned me onto to Hi Fidelity cables); I mean they were good, certainly better bass and mid bass authority. But it wasn't until I put another 50 or so hours on them that they began to have the air, depth, and this incredible tonal correctness that made me sit up and say, wait a minute. So back and forth I went, a little incredulous that I was seriously comparing this SS metal beast to my beautiful, glowing GM 70's. I won't bore you with other audiophile terms; suffice to say it got to the point that I much preferred listening to the XA 30.8 on all types of music. Honestly, it was hard to swallow, considering how much musical joy the GM 70's have brought me. Maybe the XA30.8 is special: maybe the more powerful .8 amps wouldn't be able to knock off a world class SET amp. I don't know. Nelson Pass says in the "white paper" included with the amp that each one of the .8's will have different characteristics--and of course different interactions with pre-amps and speakers. But his XA30.8 makes unexpected magic with my Shindo preamp and my Shindo speakers (over 100db sensitivity). They combine the SET type air, delicacy, and presence of the GM70's with unwavering control and tonal exactness that makes it hard for me to imagine there's a more musical amplifier out there for my system.

**kkfan** · December 20, 2015, 11:25 PM

Originally Posted by jazzmatazz

I won't bore you with other audiophile terms;

By the very nature of this forum, you can never bore us with "audiophile terms." On the contrary, they will read like a novel.

Great review. Thanks for sharing your impressions.

I'm beginning to wonder whether those that do not find in favor of Pass gear feel that way only because the Pass gear they are auditioning don't have enough hours of burn-in in them...

**mazzialk** · December 21, 2015, 02:30 PM

Originally Posted by kkfan

By the very nature of this forum, you can never bore us with "audiophile terms." On the contrary, they will read like a novel.

Great review. Thanks for sharing your impressions.

I'm beginning to wonder whether those that do not find in favor of Pass gear feel that way only because the Pass gear they are auditioning don't have enough hours of burn-in in them...

Hi kk fan

Last pass I audiotioned had 10 year's of buren in on it and the one before that had 3 years on them so it could not have been the burn in time that didn't work for me,

lol.

**kkfan** · December 21, 2015, 11:42 PM

Originally Posted by mazzialk

Hi kk fan

Last pass I audiotioned had 10 year's of buren in on it and the one before that had 3 years on them so it could not have been the burn in time that didn't work for me,

lol.

Hi Mazz!

Burn in should ideally be counted in hours.

Are you saying the last Pass amp had 10 years of USAGE or 10 years of OWNERSHIP? There's a very significant difference between those two values. It's important to know how many hours of actual usage the amp had at the time you acquired it if you want to know how much burn in it has.

Ten years of actual USAGE translates to roughly 87,600 hours!

On the other hand, just because someone owns an amp for 10 years, it doesn't mean the owner used it all that much.

**jazzmatazz** · December 22, 2015, 12:09 PM

Thanks, Bill.
I contemplated for a long time upgrading my Shindo GM 70's to the 300b's but couldn't convince myself they would be that much better for the additional $$$.
But interestingly enough it was another Shindo amp--the Haut Brion--that showed me there might be another dimension beyond the GM 70's. A fellow audiophile brought his HB's over for a listen and I was surprised to discover how much I enjoyed their drive and bass weight. They didn't have many of the SET qualities that the GM 70's had, but it planted the seed there might be an amp that combines the best of both worlds. Then, over a year latter, I read the review of the Pass XA30.8 and here I am pretending that big metal faceplate with the gauge and needle that never moves has tubes behind it...
Steve

**rbbert** · December 22, 2015, 12:40 PM

Originally Posted by kkfan

...I'm beginning to wonder whether those that do not find in favor of Pass gear feel that way only because the Pass gear they are auditioning don't have enough hours of burn-in in them...

Different strokes for different folks. Not everyone has to like something, that doesn't detract from its goodness...

**Mike** · December 22, 2015, 12:47 PM

Originally Posted by rbbert

Different strokes for different folks. Not everyone has to like something, that doesn't detract from its goodness...

It's all about synergy too. Pass goes great with a lot of speakers IMO. But if you have someone who is a dyed in the wool tube guy, it will be a tough job convincing them. I will say the XA.5 series amps sure came close! Those were the first SS amps that really grabbed the hearts of many tube lovers.

How's the INT60 sounding? That's a terrific piece.

**rbbert** · December 22, 2015, 04:27 PM

Pass INT-60 Review

**kkfan** · December 22, 2015, 11:25 PM

Originally Posted by rbbert

Different strokes for different folks. Not everyone has to like something, that doesn't detract from its goodness...

Agreed 100%

I was only wondering whether the required burn in has happened prior to evaluation. But, you're absolutely right.

Thread: Anyone Hear the New .8 Amps Yet

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