New Amps

CD: Yeah the dead lift is the only way to carry those! LOL My Nelson Pass designed Threshold T-800D Amp I severely miss, it was a beast at 125lbs! :weird:
attachment.php
 

Attachments

  • Threshold T 800 D.jpg
    Threshold T 800 D.jpg
    62 KB · Views: 220
CD: Here you go, it pushed a lot for a Class A Amp. Forte was their less expensive line, very similar to what Nelson Pass is doing now, having the Pass line and then the First Watt line as well..

Threshold-Audio.com
 
CDLehner said:
After hauling a pair, up to my listening room; the first of which, was without the foresight...that the handles allow you to more or less dead-lift the amp, and use your legs rather than your back :wacko:

I couldn't agree more!
Click to expand...
Even with handles, I say find a few friends. Save the back......at all cost. Some of these amps are so darn heavy.

I could see the benefit of a friends help.
 
Re-posted, from another forum:

OK guys...let me try to share some quick thoughts, on the Pass amps. First of all...keep in mind; these comments, are in comparison...only to each other. They are both, simply outstanding amps (and the biggest, heaviest mothers...I've ever had the displeasure of lifting). They both are built like tanks, have top quality...fit, finish, and parts (the binding posts, are the stoutest I have ever seen); and are extraordinarily musical...even right out of the box (more on that in a moment).

I'm partial to the XA-30.8 I've owned two class-A amps before; a Cayin IA, and the First Watt M-2 (of course, also of Nelson Pass design). To my ears...class-A really has the fat, round...slightly warm; presentation that I love. It reminds of an over-driven guitar amp. For those of you who know what I'm talking about; it's like the power is turned up...ALL THE TIME; and then you simply adjust how much is let through. That's the nature of class-As, always-on current.

To me...it makes the music jump, and lively; what I think of, when I think of PRaT. Some have asked how this XA-30.8, compares to say the M-2; it doesn't. They don't belong in the same discussion. Don't get me wrong; the M-2 was a really lovely amp; it was round, fat, sweet, and musical. But it didn't have that over-driven growl and grunt, that I'm also getting...with the 30.8.

The M-2 is rated 25/50, and the 30.8 30/60. Ha! I think I posted recently...that a reviewer asked NP; if the 30.8...the way it were currently constituted...were to be tweaked to run in A/B. What would it be rated at. NP did the math in his head, and surmised...~300 watts, per side...into 8ohms! And I think therein lies the difference; I think the answer for the M-2, might be more like 150. Again...the M-2; sweet, sweet amp...and for the ~$1200 I paid used, an absolute bargain. But it couldn't drive my PMC OB1i...the way I wanted. The 30.8; it just feels...and sounds...as if there's a GOB of power, at your disposal. Can you tell I really like it? :audiophile:

As for the 150.8; as soon as I went from one, to the other...playing the same material. I could hear the difference in the presentation. To my ears...and with the PMC FACT 3s...the A/B 150.8, was slightly more forward and revealing...in the middle register. Like an organ, or guitar...that might have been slightly recessed in the background with the XA; now took on more weight, and presence in the mix. Slightly more forward.

Bass was tighter, and punchier; super authority...but not quite as heavy and rounded. More like a piston, that pops you in the chest. The 150 definitely mates better...with the Aerial 6Ts. It sounds to me...and this has been confirmed by both my dealer, and an "independent" Pass dealer, lol; that the X needs more run-in, than the XA. Probably just that class-A has a inherent sweetness, by design; so it sounds better, out of the box.

With some hours...the 150 probably gets close; and then has its own pros. It's like 55/45 or 45/55; depending on which style ya like. I guess I would say this: if you've got big, full-range speakers; and particularly dig symphonic pieces...and are looking for HUGE scale and presentation. The X-150.8 is your pick!

I'm going to take some time...have some more fun; but right now...the XA and FACT 3s, are the combo to beat!
 
CPP said:
Using a pallet jack:afraid: you know that's cheating right :D
Click to expand...


Actually I will use my fork truck to get them from the delivery truck, to inside the warehouse. THEN I'll use the pallet jack to position them in the room. So I will be double cheating !!
 
Not surprised at all...your speakers efficiency/impedance seem a much better match for the 150.8- now you need to try a 250.8 :). Enjoy the break-in...
 
JDLaudio said:
Actually I will use my fork truck to get them from the delivery truck, to inside the warehouse. THEN I'll use the pallet jack to position them in the room. So I will be double cheating !!
Click to expand...

:snicker: yes you will. Can't wait to read your impressions once you get them situated in your room after break-in. Should be a "wow" factor.
 
audionirvana said:
CD: Yeah the dead lift is the only way to carry those! LOL My Nelson Pass designed Threshold T-800D Amp I severely miss, it was a beast at 125lbs! :weird:
attachment.php
Click to expand...

Stasis Power?

Class A voltage with Class B current drive? Forerunner to what Devialet is now doing with Class D current?
 
So...I've been having a LOT of fun, doing a 2-amp/2-speaker shoot-out; with Pass XA-30.8 and X-150.8, paired with Aerial 6Ts and my incumbent PMC FACT 3s.

I've been letting the amps run-in plenty, and switching back-and-forth...allowing each pairing to sink in a bit. I was all set, to call the order like this:

30.8/FACT 3s
150.8/6Ts
30.8/6Ts
150.8/FACT 3s

But then, it happened! Finally, finally, finally...I got the 6Ts to shake-off that closed-in, congestion. Now...the gap between 1st and 2nd place, has closed considerably.

This is going to have to a choice I make together I think. The 30.8, while PLENTY powerful; has a sweet presentation (natch, class-A), that mates particularly well...with the ultra-revealing and detailed FACTs. The 6Ts...even though they've opened up...are still riper and richer, than the PMCs; so the 150.8s more linear presentation, works well there (and that straight-ahead muscle, just kicks the $h!t out of those double 6"s :))

So Happy Thanksgiving Sharks; I know I have a lot to be thankful for ;)
 
Pass XS-150's in place. Pretty darn amazing fresh out of the box. I got a couple of hours listening in tonight on my NTT Audio Lab speakers, and have already decided this is one of the best audio decisions I've ever made. Cannot wait to get them hooked up to the MBL 101 E's.
 
Congratulations Jerry! World class amps by any measure. SET like sound with iron fist control and unlimited dynamics. Every time I listen to mine, I realize that these amps are in an entirely different league from everything else I've owned.

ImageUploadedByTapatalk1417776053.802360.jpg
 
KeithR said:
what do you mean by SET like sound, Mike?
Click to expand...

Excellent midrange. A real sweetness that is damn addicting. Very musical with their effortless control and flow of the music. But the XS amps go MUCH further than any SET amp I've owned or heard. They have thunderous dynamics. Outstanding tight, fast bass control. They display an effortlessness with the most complex music I can throw at them. They exhibit wicked control of every note.

Give this a read for Nelson's explanation: http://www.renohifi.com/Pass/pass_xs_brochure_2014d.pdf

How addicting is their sound? I've had them barely two months and not more than a handful of friends have had a chance to listen because I've been traveling....but of those who have listened, one bought a pair of Strads, one bought the XS amps and the other bought XS amps and the XS Preamp for his Strads.
 
Thanks everybody. It's fabulous when a piece of gear makes huge improvements to your system, such as these Pass XS Monoblocks. I am also burning in the new Berkeley dac as well.....but haven't had the heavens open yet. So far it's very good, and getting better. But not $16k great yet. There are definitely spurts of brilliance I hear, but the unit is still unraveling its voice. I am still working interconnect combinations as well. But redbook is definitely its strong point.
I cannot wait to put the Berkeley together with the MBL/Pass monos system. I am betting magic will happen.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top