Thread: Anyone Hear the New .8 Amps Yet

I'm just wondering if anyone has auditioned the new .8's. I'm dying for David to get his, so I can demo them.

Mark, do you know if they are out yet?

Allen, I was told that Reno Hi Fi had sold a few.

Welcome to the forum SCB!

Congratulations on the XA60.8's. I'd love a pair. Please tell us more ....

Thanks!

Originally Posted by scb

I've had my xa60.8 for a few weeks now. LOVE them they replaced an x250.5 and seem to do everything better

Hows the heat output factor??

Nick

I get mine on Friday!

Originally Posted by madfloyd

I get mine on Friday!

Which ones Floyd ??

Originally Posted by scb

They get hot, but my x250.5 was hotter. The combined heat output for 2 xa60.8 is more than the x250.5, but each unit is cooler than the x250.5 got

Thanks for joining us here at AS !!

And thanks for your input. The Pass .8's will be the last amp I audition before I make my buying choice.

Originally Posted by MDP

Which ones Floyd ??

XA160.8's...

Originally Posted by madfloyd

XA160.8's...

Awesome !! Cant wait to hear your impressions

Originally Posted by MDP

Awesome !! Can't wait to hear your impressions

Originally Posted by madfloyd

XA160.8's...

+2.

Looking forward to your thoughts Ian. Congratulations.

Originally Posted by scb

Going from the x250.5 to the xa60.8, I'm sure some of the differences I noticed are indicative of going from x to xa and not necessarily just the .8 series. All I know is I love the xa60.8

My first thought when listening to the xa60.8 was "VOCALS!" Wow, the difference in vocals is huge. It sounds like the singers are in the room with me. Once I got past that, I realized that it sounded like everyone was in the room with me. Everything just seems so much closer and more detailed, even at lower listening levels. Great soundstage, and bass that is as tight or even tighter than my x250.5. I guess this is the unexpected part. The x.5 series is supposed to have tighter bass than the xa, right? The bass on the xa.8 seems as tight or tighter than the x.5.

I have noticed that I have to turn the volume up a bit more. Where the volume might have been at -20 with my x250.5, it's around -16 with the xa60.8.

speakers are Von Schweikert Unifield 3

scb, welcome to AS! Congrats on the xa60.8! Love your description! How's the noise floor and speed compared to your x250.5?

Originally Posted by madfloyd

I get mine on Friday!

Ian, I am SOOO looking forward to hearing your impressions with the Alexias! Please report back ASAP!

And congrats to you, too, Ian!

Originally Posted by socfan12

Ian, I am SOOO looking forward to hearing your impressions with the Alexias! Please report back ASAP!
And congrats to you, too, Ian!

Thanks and will do!

Originally Posted by madfloyd

Thanks and will do!

Ian, I apologize for calling you Floyd. I simply can't keep up with the different names and usernames !

I wish all our members would list their first names on their signatures.

Originally Posted by MDP

I wish all our members would list their first names on their signatures.

That would be nice. Very cool the .8s are coming down the pipe line!

Welcome to the forum dfwmediagroup. Thank you for joining.

Thanks for your thoughts on the new amps.

Originally Posted by dfwmediagroup

I haven't heard the XA.8 amps yet, but I did hear the monster XS300's a while back with TAD Reference One speakers and the sound was incredible. From what I've heard the .8 amps are supposed to deliver most of the magic of the XS series. The Pass amps are very preamp dependent since they're transparent, so you can get a spacious, smooth sound with most tube preamps or you can get a very detailed, concise sound with solid state preamps. Either way, Pass is a great option. I owned an X350.5 and it was a great amp. I sold it recently so I could purchase one of the new models. The X series is similar in sound to the XA series as it runs the first 30-60 watts in class A depending on the model. So there's very little difference at low power outputs.

Hey Peter, glad you joined our forum !!

Already an XA30.8 on the 'gon. That was fast...

Originally Posted by Penthouse-D

Already an XA30.8 on the 'gon. That was fast...

We are a fickle bunch. I am sure they are wonderful.

Originally Posted by MDP

Ian, I apologize for calling you Floyd. I simply can't keep up with the different names and usernames !

I wish all our members would list their first names on their signatures.

No worries. I'm often called Mad or Floyd because of my handle. I answer to a lot of things.

I received my XA160.8's yesterday. Here's a couple pics (sitting beside my XA160.5's)
DSC_0035.JPG

DSC_0036.JPG

They arrived around noon yesterday when I was at work and were still cold to the touch when I got home 7 hours later. They sounded a tad thin when first hooked up, but very much like Pass amps (nothing stood out). Now 17 hours later they are much different. I wish I could say that they are blowing me away but right now they sound like mud. Deep boomy bass and not much separation of instruments. They need to break in obviously - I'm pretty sure my .5's were similar.

I'll keep you posted!

Ian

Originally Posted by madfloyd

I received my XA160.8's yesterday. Here's a couple pics (sitting beside my XA160.5's)
DSC_0035.JPG

DSC_0036.JPG

They arrived around noon yesterday when I was at work and were still cold to the touch when I got home 7 hours later. They sounded a tad thin when first hooked up, but very much like Pass amps (nothing stood out). Now 17 hours later they are much different. I wish I could say that they are blowing me away but right now they sound like mud. Deep boomy bass and not much separation of instruments. They need to break in obviously - I'm pretty sure my .5's were similar.

I'll keep you posted!

Ian

OMG !!

Thanks Ian, I can't wait for your comparison when they settle in !

Very exciting

BIG NEWS! Literally!! Congrats MadFloyd! You're gonna have to change your moniker to MadM-A-N!!! Because that is crazy cool, man! Look forward to your impressions as they burn in. enjoy...

Originally Posted by madfloyd

I received my XA160.8's yesterday. Here's a couple pics (sitting beside my XA160.5's)
DSC_0035.JPG

DSC_0036.JPG

They arrived around noon yesterday when I was at work and were still cold to the touch when I got home 7 hours later. They sounded a tad thin when first hooked up, but very much like Pass amps (nothing stood out). Now 17 hours later they are much different. I wish I could say that they are blowing me away but right now they sound like mud. Deep boomy bass and not much separation of instruments. They need to break in obviously - I'm pretty sure my .5's were similar.

I'll keep you posted!

Ian

Quick update: I finally had my Transparent cables re-tuned for my current equipment and received them Thursday. Having gone through this before, I can say these cables sound horrible for the first week so I had only been burning them at night. Today when I switched over to my non-Transparent cables (Burley) I forgot to switch the speaker cables. Having done that just now it's not as muddy. Listenable but still somewhat tubby, closed-in with no magic yet. Again, I'm not surprised - it'll change over the next few days.

I did just now receive my order of Stillpoints for my Alexias. In theory I should just refrain from installing them until the amps have settled so I can really tell what difference they make, but I'm not sure I have the self discipline...

Originally Posted by madfloyd

Quick update: I finally had my Transparent cables re-tuned for my current equipment and received them Thursday. Having gone through this before, I can say these cables sound horrible for the first week so I had only been burning them at night. Today when I switched over to my non-Transparent cables (Burley) I forgot to switch the speaker cables. Having done that just now it's not as muddy. Listenable but still somewhat tubby, closed-in with no magic yet. Again, I'm not surprised - it'll change over the next few days.

I did just now receive my order of Stillpoints for my Alexias. In theory I should just refrain from installing them until the amps have settled so I can really tell what difference they make, but I'm not sure I have the self discipline...

c'mon...just go for it...put 'em in...why be so scientific? When you're all settled in...and burned in...it'll be just AWESOME.

Originally Posted by madfloyd

Quick update: I finally had my Transparent cables re-tuned for my current equipment and received them Thursday. Having gone through this before, I can say these cables sound horrible for the first week so I had only been burning them at night. Today when I switched over to my non-Transparent cables (Burley) I forgot to switch the speaker cables. Having done that just now it's not as muddy. Listenable but still somewhat tubby, closed-in with no magic yet. Again, I'm not surprised - it'll change over the next few days.

I did just now receive my order of Stillpoints for my Alexias. In theory I should just refrain from installing them until the amps have settled so I can really tell what difference they make, but I'm not sure I have the self discipline...

After perhaps another 25 hours or so, on your new amps, you might want to try the Still Points under the new amps just to get a sense of what they can do, and than move them over to your ALEXIA'S. I recently placed 3 ULTRA 5's under some ELECTROCOMPANIET MONO BLOCKS, and the difference is substantial, and in ways I wasn't expecting.
Cheers, T.

Originally Posted by MRJAZZ

After perhaps another 25 hours or so, on your new amps, you might want to try the Still Points under the new amps just to get a sense of what they can do, and than move them over to your ALEXIA'S. I recently placed 3 ULTRA 5's under some ELECTROCOMPANIET MONO BLOCKS, and the difference is substantial, and in ways I wasn't expecting.
Cheers, T.

That makes sense. In fact even my wife suggested that I target the amps next if I were to pursue more Stillpoints (given that I don't have amp stands).

I have now taken to switching back and forth between Transparent cables/XA-160.8 amps when not critically listening (so both can break-in) and my Burley cables/XA-160.5 amps when I want to enjoy listening. I will probably try the Stillpoints in the latter configuration since it's stable and I am familiar with the sound.

I assume that to properly hear Stillpoints under the amps I would need the proper threading adapters (to replace the Pass feet)?

Originally Posted by madfloyd

That makes sense. In fact even my wife suggested that I target the amps next if I were to pursue more Stillpoints (given that I don't have amp stands).

I assume that to properly hear Stillpoints under the amps I would need the proper threading adapters (to replace the Pass feet)?

First, your wife seems awesome. My wife is also very cool with this. Thank goodness. Second, I am not so sure about the threads. Otoh, your logic is sound your obvious reasons. Otoh, because the weight distribution may not be even...and certain elements of an amp vibrate more or are more sensitive to external vibration...placing the ultra 5s underneath in slightly "off" placement sometimes is better. Trust me on this. My Zanden PSU has ultra 5s underneath quite differently than the transparent ref power conditioner...and it took several tries on each to get optimal placement. Ymmv.

Originally Posted by madfloyd

That makes sense. In fact even my wife suggested that I target the amps next if I were to pursue more Stillpoints (given that I don't have amp stands).

I have now taken to switching back and forth between Transparent cables/XA-160.8 amps when not critically listening (so both can break-in) and my Burley cables/XA-160.5 amps when I want to enjoy listening. I will probably try the Stillpoints in the latter configuration since it's stable and I am familiar with the sound.

I assume that to properly hear Stillpoints under the amps I would need the proper threading adapters (to replace the Pass feet)?

Of course check with STILL POINT on the efficacy of threaded inserts to go under your PASS AMPS, however I just put mine under the mono blocks I am using in that room ( I have one other dedicated room that features a tube amp (ARC REF 75) , with the bottom of the amp resting on the flat portion of the still point. The results are quite substantial,....dare I say stunning.
CHEERS, T.

Originally Posted by LL21

c'mon...just go for it...put 'em in...why be so scientific? When you're all settled in...and burned in...it'll be just AWESOME.

Kind of sad after spending all that hard earned money that you may have to add stillpoints just to get that sound you are hoping for.

I would hold off and see what they can do on their own. That way others with xa160.5 can get an idea on differences.

Originally Posted by Audioseduction

Kind of sad after spending all that hard earned money that you may have to add stillpoints just to get that sound you are hoping for.

I would hold off and see what they can do on their own. That way others with xa160.5 can get an idea on differences.

I don't know...its not that the Pass is not awesome on its own...no doubt it is. But speaking for my own experience, having great isolation under each of my components did transform the system...and made me realize even more I have no desire to upgrade or look anywhere else on electronics. Although I had already had my components on my Dream List for the last 6-7 years (so I really am done)...the isolation made such an improvement on my being able to hear the signal, I am delighted.

Having watched other forums (like WBF) where Steve Williams (earlier a skeptic) placed them under his X2s in his professionally designed and treated room (including flooring, padding and carpeting)...it has been fun to watch people's reactions to Ultra 5s.

I feel the same way with a product from ISOCLEAN the TT-109 pictured below. They are constructed of two materials of hard and soft hardness to dampen and absorb micro mechanical vibrations.
I've placed them under my amp platforms, speakers and audio rack. The experience was very positive for me. They increased tighter focus, enhanced the soundstage and extended the holographic extensions. They are not cheap but well worth it.

Stunning...Isoclean is serious stuff. congrats. I have heard unbelievably good things about their power conditioners...which I could find one to hear. Have you heard anything else by them?

Originally Posted by LL21

Stunning...Isoclean is serious stuff. congrats. I have heard unbelievably good things about their power conditioners...which I could find one to hear. Have you heard anything else by them?

No I have not. I also see many of the very high-end systems use them.

Yes, I agree...Isoclean are in some seriously high-end systems. Would love to hear myself someday. Pls post if you do.

Well in any case they are getting better every day. They've really opened up. By Wednesday they should be ready for serious listening.


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Great to hear Ian. Are you ready to offer any comparisons to the XA160.5's?

That wouldn't be fair. I'm hearing the new amps with different cables (which I was breaking in at the same time) and Stillpoints on my speakers. I'll have to go back to the old amps once these are broken in and compare.


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Ian, I hope you will compare the amps without anything added, such as Stillpoints or anything else. I'm wanting to know how the 2 amps stand on their own merits, same cables etc.

Thanks !

That's exactly what I plan to do since I will be deciding between them.


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Well I have tomorrow off and the amps will be broken in. All I have to do now is figure out to remove stuck Stillpoint adapters from my speakers or there will be no music playing.


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Stuck? What happened?

Did you leave a credit card gap between the top of the Stillpoint and the bottom of the speaker?

Originally Posted by Mike

Stuck? What happened?

Did you leave a credit card gap between the top of the Stillpoint and the bottom of the speaker?

You know how the Alexia thread holes are tight and you had to use an allen key to get some of the spike screws in? Well unlike the Alexia spike screws which have an allen key indent so you can get them in and out, the Stillpoints do not. So once installed, there's no easy way to take the Stillpoints out of the Alexias (unless you got lucky and none of your screw holes are tight). Half of mine are tight.

I had to use a vice grips VERY tight and use a lot of torque to get these suckers out, completely destroying the threading on the Stillpoint adapters. Took a while...

OK, so here's the latest. I had the day off yesterday but my ears didn't cooperate. They were blocked pretty good and all I could hear was bass (I can't tell you how frustrating that is being an audiophile!). They cleared up around 5pm and I got to listen for a couple hours but didn't try to switch amps and do a real comparison as I knew there wasn't enough time.

I have at least one other audiophile (another XA160.5 owner) coming to join me tomorrow evening to do a shootout between the two amps. Hopefully another audiophile friend with good ears will join us as well.

I'm starting to form my own picture of what I think is different between the two amps but because my system dramatically changed when I installed Shunyata power cables (about a week before getting the new amps) I want to listen to the .5's again to make sure I'm not imagining this, but I'm hearing a lot more upper frequency energy in the .8's. Maybe a little too much in the lower treble/upper mids for my liking.

In any case, I'll update this thread again on Saturday. Sorry it's been so slow going.