Thread: New Amps

OK Pass guys; how the hell do I move these to the Listening Room?

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No...it's not a matched pair, unfortunately. It's a 30 v. 150 shoot-out; .8 of course!

Carefully!

Should be fun! I expect the 30.8 to win - hands down.

Mike

fun weekend in store!

Drool.....

Originally Posted by Mike

Should be fun! I expect the 30.8 to win - hands down.

Yeah Mike; I try to go in with an open mind. But I'd be lying if I said, I wasn't leaning toward the class-A 30

Couple of reasons:

1) My experience with NP designs, started with the First Watt M-2. OMG; what a glorious-sounding, little amp. I've had one other class-A unit, and I also loved it's "always on" pace and propulsion. I also happen to think, that class-A presentation; will give my otherwise other-worldly PMC FACT 3s...the extra bit of meat they need.

2) Those who don't understand class-A...don't realize just how STOUT it is. They see 30/60, and they doubt it's drive; but Srajan in his stellar review for 6moons 6moons audioreviews: Pass Labs XA30.8

concluded with this...

What would, with pretty much its present hardware, the XA30.8 be capable of in output power were it biased in class A/B with, say, just the first 5 watts in class A? "If I wanted to bias the amp with the existing supply for 5 watts Class A (rms), then it would draw about 1/3rd the power for about 100 watts of draw at idle. If I wanted to set the supply rails for the same amount of heat at idle but biased for 5 watts in Class A, then it would do something like 300wpc into 8 ohms."

That's the beef! But...the 150.8 will get its turn too. I kind of see it as 150.8 with my Aerial 6Ts, against the 30.8 with my FACT 3s; and then...everybody switch (and the incumbent ARC DS-450 gets a fighting chance too).

As Mike said...should be FUN!

End over end, then unbox close to the speakers.

I love my Pass XA-60.5's. They are not going anywhere.

Originally Posted by jaxwired

Drool.....

Quips the man, with dual-mono Devialets

well it should be pretty easy to tell- doesn't the meter swap to the right if it goes into A/B mode?

I assume Mark @ Reno sent them both out? really nice guy. Bought the SIT-2 from him and he offered to send me the 30.5 when it wasn't enough power.

Should be a fun little shoot-out. I predict that the one with the tubes wins. :p

Sent from my HTC One.

Seems like a hard one to call. Pass amps are known for a rich presentation. I'd say either one may have great synergy with the Fact 3s.

Originally Posted by joeinid

End over end, then unbox close to the speakers.

I love my Pass XA-60.5's. They are not going anywhere.

Yes. I had to 'walk' my X600.5s from the garage, up two steps, then through the dining room, kitchen, and into the living room, stopping at the rack. Opened the box, turned it over, and out came the amp. Then get it right side up, oriented to the rack, and lift the rear onto the bottom shelf, then push in.

When I got them I used them with Aerial Acoustics 7T speakers, and they sounded great. Enjoy.

So...the plan, was to set both amps up; and also both sets of speakers, in the room. Turns out, my back had other thoughts

I mean...I've hauled some pretty heavy amps, up to my Listening Room (yup...it's on the 2nd floor); but these Pass take the cake. Plus...they're so freakin' BIG; I'm not sure there's even enough room, for 2 at a time!

So as it turns out...the XA was the first to get un-boxed; and it had to run(-in), with the 6Ts.

WoW; first note, cold right of the box...this thing really impressed. The 6Ts, are rumored to need ~400 hours of break-in; and to this point, I hadn't really gotten them to open up much. They sounded very good of course, comparatively; but there was definitely some "congestion"...that I was hoping was a symptom of the stiff (Scandinavian) drivers.

I have to say; they sounded much better with the 30.8. A fellow 'phile asked why I thought, and my best guess is...better control of the bottom-end, is causing the mids to smear less. Presentation sounds more cohesive...whereas before, there was that bloat somewhere in the low-mid FR (to be fair...I had also been giving them more time. Initially, I was breaking-in with my ARC LS-15/DS-450 combo. Even though they were supposed to "need" 400 hours, I thought after a few days...they'd at least be on their way. When I was still experiencing congestion...I decided to really put some time on them; but I didn't want to run the tube pre-amp 24/7. So I pulled a spare Wyred4Sound mINT, and let that do the heaving lifting. So A) I do have more hours on them now, than when I last heard them with the DS-450 and B) I am coming off hearing them...when I would peek-in, to see how they were coming along...with the $1k class-D IA, lol. Still...I'd have to say, as far as the 6Ts; 30.8 is a better pairing, than the DS-450).

I'm so impressed with the XA...I'm almost hesitant to open the 150 up; sell it as brand new. IDK; I'll have to ruminate on that a bit. Meantime...as soon as the back is rested; I'll move the FACT 3s back into the room (probably tomorrow).

The "lab"...lol

Originally Posted by JDLaudio

I have a pair of the XS-150 monoblocks coming, after hearing Mike's pair. I too am dreading moving those bad boys in place. Luckily, I am setting them up in my warehouse HT room.....and will be using a pallet jack for transport to their final destination !!

Right on Jerry! Congrats!!!


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Originally Posted by CDLehner

The "lab"...lol

Cool Chris. Any further thoughts?


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Originally Posted by Mike

Cool Chris. Any further thoughts?


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Mike, the early leader...is the XA. As soon as I switched from the 30 to the 150 (this was with the FACT 3s in rotation)...I could hear the difference in their presentation.

The 150 is on the 6Ts now, and I will say; when you get in that combo's sweet-spot...it's pretty dynamite. It almost feels as if the X needs a few more hours break-in, before it might blossom.

I'll let it have it, of course; and continue my sighted A/B. But I have a feeling, the XA is more my taste.

Originally Posted by JDLaudio

I have a pair of the XS-150 monoblocks coming, after hearing Mike's pair. I too am dreading moving those bad boys in place. Luckily, I am setting them up in my warehouse HT room.....and will be using a pallet jack for transport to their final destination !!

Using a pallet jack you know that's cheating right

Originally Posted by CPP

Using a pallet jack you know that's cheating right

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

I couldn't agree more!

Mmmm...class-A

How many watts did that push Gar?

Originally Posted by CDLehner

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

I couldn't agree more!

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?

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!

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...

Originally Posted by JDLaudio

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 !!

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.

Interesting. Are 100.8's out of the question?


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Originally Posted by dlb2

Should be a fun little shoot-out. I predict that the one with the tubes wins. :p

Sent from my HTC One.

Heheheh

Originally Posted by audionirvana

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!

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

Gents...it's official. I've going to give the 30.8 a new home. Just suits my room, taste, and associated gear best.

So my as-new, still-needs-some-break-in 150.8 is up for grabs http://audioshark.org/amplifiers-155...l#.VHvGa8k-d6E

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.

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Congrats on the new amps Jerry

Fabulous! Huge congrats!

what do you mean by SET like sound, Mike?

Originally Posted by KeithR

what do you mean by SET like sound, Mike?

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.

Wow Jerry! XS on the Spatials. Cool!


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New review

Pass Labs XA30.8 class A stereo amplifier Review - Dagogo | A Unique Audiophile Experience

Originally Posted by CDLehner

New review

Pass Labs XA30.8 class A stereo amplifier Review - Dagogo | A Unique Audiophile Experience

Thanks for sharing Chris. No surprise that as a SET lover he loves Pass.

Nelson Pass is a genius.


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Yeah, I have to tell ya...I'm sold; like for life! In fact...I might have to find a way, to get some FW in a second system.

Like a SIT-2 or F6. I picked-up an M2 once...for like $1200; just to see what the fuss was about. Heaven!

Couldn't quite push my PMC OB1i around; but man did it sound good.