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  1. #1
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    Pass Laboratories XA200.8 pure Class A monoblock amplifiers Review, Part 1

    Fleetwood Deville by Oswald Mills Audio, Vienna Acoustics Haydn Jubilee, Wharfedale Linton w/ stands, Klipsch RB-75, Klipsch RP-160M.

    Job INTegrated. Luxman L-595aSE

    NAD C 658 streamer.

    First Watt SIT-3, Job 250 Monos, NuForce STA200, AkitikA GT-102 amp, ASL Wave monos, Dennis Had 45 monos. Absolute Audio Labs PCF 25 amp (improved First Watt F7 super clone)

    Topping D90, RME Audio ADI-2 DAC FS, ModWright Ultimate Sony XA-5400ES.

    Burmester 948, McIntosh MCLK12, Kimber Kable, Siltech, Cardas, Avanti Audio cables.

  2. #2
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    Re: Pass Laboratories XA200.8 pure Class A monoblock amplifiers Review, Part 1

    Great article.

    These are the amps I really want. However, Mike warned me about the "heat." The Pass X amps don't run what I call "hot". They are warm, not unlike numerous other A/B amps out there. But going up the line of Pass XA amps they do increase the heat level - even as the article brings attention too.

    I have a friend up north that has the 200s. He loves them. However, at this point unless I move to Alaska for me the X200.8s are probably out of the picture.

  3. #3
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    Re: Pass Laboratories XA200.8 pure Class A monoblock amplifiers Review, Part 1

    I bet the big Pass amps are awesome. Definitely too hot for me now but appreciated in the fall/winter months.
    Fleetwood Deville by Oswald Mills Audio, Vienna Acoustics Haydn Jubilee, Wharfedale Linton w/ stands, Klipsch RB-75, Klipsch RP-160M.

    Job INTegrated. Luxman L-595aSE

    NAD C 658 streamer.

    First Watt SIT-3, Job 250 Monos, NuForce STA200, AkitikA GT-102 amp, ASL Wave monos, Dennis Had 45 monos. Absolute Audio Labs PCF 25 amp (improved First Watt F7 super clone)

    Topping D90, RME Audio ADI-2 DAC FS, ModWright Ultimate Sony XA-5400ES.

    Burmester 948, McIntosh MCLK12, Kimber Kable, Siltech, Cardas, Avanti Audio cables.

  4. #4
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    Re: Pass Laboratories XA200.8 pure Class A monoblock amplifiers Review, Part 1

    The heat is reasonable with a high tech cooling system.

    DA41D8CA-5995-4A1A-AA71-D27DC12E05BB.jpeg
    Bud

    Lumin X1 file player, Westminster Labs interconnect cable
    Sony XA-5400ES SACD
    Pass XP-22 pre, X600.5 amps
    Magico S5 MKII Mcast Rose speakers, SPOD spikes

    Shunyata Triton v3/Typhon QR for source, Denali 2000 (2) for amps
    Shunyata Sigma XLR analog ICs, Sigma speaker cables
    Shunyata Sigma HC (2), Sigma Analog, Sigma Digital, Z Anaconda (3) power cables

    Mapleshade Samson four shelf maple rack, Micropoint brass footers
    Three 20 amp circuits.

  5. #5
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    Re: Pass Laboratories XA200.8 pure Class A monoblock amplifiers Review, Part 1




    Quote Originally Posted by BlueFox View Post
    The heat is reasonable with a high tech cooling system.

    DA41D8CA-5995-4A1A-AA71-D27DC12E05BB.jpeg

  6. #6
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    Re: Pass Laboratories XA200.8 pure Class A monoblock amplifiers Review, Part 1

    Quote Originally Posted by BlueFox View Post
    The heat is reasonable with a high tech cooling system.

    DA41D8CA-5995-4A1A-AA71-D27DC12E05BB.jpeg

    _______________

    Mike

    Amplification: MBL 6010D, MBL 9008A Monos
    Analog: Kuzma R, Kuzma 4Point (11”), MSL Ultra Eminent EX
    Phono Pre: Pass XP-27
    Digital: Esoteric N01XD Esoteric K05
    Speakers: MBL 101E MKII
    Subwoofers: REL Carbon Specials
    Conditioner: Shunyata Triton 3
    Power Cables: Shunyata Sigma 1 & 2, Alpha 2, Delta and Venom
    ICs and SCs: Wireworld Platinum 8
    Rack: Artesania Exoteryc

  7. #7
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    Re: Pass Laboratories XA200.8 pure Class A monoblock amplifiers Review, Part 1

    Well done Bud.
    Fleetwood Deville by Oswald Mills Audio, Vienna Acoustics Haydn Jubilee, Wharfedale Linton w/ stands, Klipsch RB-75, Klipsch RP-160M.

    Job INTegrated. Luxman L-595aSE

    NAD C 658 streamer.

    First Watt SIT-3, Job 250 Monos, NuForce STA200, AkitikA GT-102 amp, ASL Wave monos, Dennis Had 45 monos. Absolute Audio Labs PCF 25 amp (improved First Watt F7 super clone)

    Topping D90, RME Audio ADI-2 DAC FS, ModWright Ultimate Sony XA-5400ES.

    Burmester 948, McIntosh MCLK12, Kimber Kable, Siltech, Cardas, Avanti Audio cables.

  8. #8

    Re: Pass Laboratories XA200.8 pure Class A monoblock amplifiers Review, Part 1

    My my, you're using the fan with a stock power cord?
    No siree Bob,
    in our end of the universe you should try an NR ( make sure it's v2 though), budget permitting you can try odin (again it has to be v2) or even the crystal ones...
    at any rate they should go through your power conditioner...
    and I for one would humbly request a shootout on youtube to see which gives better separation, soundstaging, bottom end....

  9. #9
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    Re: Pass Laboratories XA200.8 pure Class A monoblock amplifiers Review, Part 1

    Hi Joe,

    I owned the XA-100.5 and the XA-100.8. I thought the XA-100.5 were far better sounding and one of the best amps I’ve ever owned. Once fully warmed up, it produced this amazing, tube-like Class A sound. The XA-100.8 sounded more like a good Class AB amp. Its bass was also way overblown. The XA-100.5 put out 300 watts of heat per amp, which was the maximum my 21’ x 17’ room and my central A/C could handle. The XA-100.8 put out 450 watts of heat per amp, 50% more. My A/C ran constantly when it was on and the heat was unbearable. I seriously regretted making that upgrade. I’ve listened to the X.8 amps and I think they’re really good. The XA.8 amps I don’t care for at all. No tomatoes please.

    Best,
    Ken
    "No summit worth climbing is easily attained."
    --------------------------------------------
    Source: MSB Select II DAC with Two Mono Powerbases and Femto 33 Clock; Renderer V2 Digital Input Module and Roon Nucleus Plus; MSB UMT V Signature Transport
    Amps: Vandersteen M7-HPA Mono Amps; MSB M204 Mono Amps
    Speakers: Vandersteen Model 7 Mk2
    Power: Two AudioQuest Niagara 5000’s with AudioQuest Dragon and Hurricane Power Cords

  10. #10
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    Re: Pass Laboratories XA200.8 pure Class A monoblock amplifiers Review, Part 1

    Thank you Ken.

    I don’t have any speakers yet, that’ll benefit from that much power but Pass makes great gear.
    Fleetwood Deville by Oswald Mills Audio, Vienna Acoustics Haydn Jubilee, Wharfedale Linton w/ stands, Klipsch RB-75, Klipsch RP-160M.

    Job INTegrated. Luxman L-595aSE

    NAD C 658 streamer.

    First Watt SIT-3, Job 250 Monos, NuForce STA200, AkitikA GT-102 amp, ASL Wave monos, Dennis Had 45 monos. Absolute Audio Labs PCF 25 amp (improved First Watt F7 super clone)

    Topping D90, RME Audio ADI-2 DAC FS, ModWright Ultimate Sony XA-5400ES.

    Burmester 948, McIntosh MCLK12, Kimber Kable, Siltech, Cardas, Avanti Audio cables.

  11. #11

    Re: Pass Laboratories XA200.8 pure Class A monoblock amplifiers Review, Part 1

    Joe,

    if memory serves me correctly, I think JVS also reviewed them for Stereophile.

  12. #12
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    Re: Pass Laboratories XA200.8 pure Class A monoblock amplifiers Review, Part 1

    Quote Originally Posted by Lucidear View Post
    Joe,

    if memory serves me correctly, I think JVS also reviewed them for Stereophile.
    I think so too. These amps are monsters.
    Fleetwood Deville by Oswald Mills Audio, Vienna Acoustics Haydn Jubilee, Wharfedale Linton w/ stands, Klipsch RB-75, Klipsch RP-160M.

    Job INTegrated. Luxman L-595aSE

    NAD C 658 streamer.

    First Watt SIT-3, Job 250 Monos, NuForce STA200, AkitikA GT-102 amp, ASL Wave monos, Dennis Had 45 monos. Absolute Audio Labs PCF 25 amp (improved First Watt F7 super clone)

    Topping D90, RME Audio ADI-2 DAC FS, ModWright Ultimate Sony XA-5400ES.

    Burmester 948, McIntosh MCLK12, Kimber Kable, Siltech, Cardas, Avanti Audio cables.

  13. #13
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    Boston
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    Re: Pass Laboratories XA200.8 pure Class A monoblock amplifiers Review, Part 1

    Quote Originally Posted by Alpinist View Post
    Hi Joe,

    I owned the XA-100.5 and the XA-100.8. I thought the XA-100.5 were far better sounding and one of the best amps I’ve ever owned. Once fully warmed up, it produced this amazing, tube-like Class A sound. The XA-100.8 sounded more like a good Class AB amp. Its bass was also way overblown. The XA-100.5 put out 300 watts of heat per amp, which was the maximum my 21’ x 17’ room and my central A/C could handle. The XA-100.8 put out 450 watts of heat per amp, 50% more. My A/C ran constantly when it was on and the heat was unbearable. I seriously regretted making that upgrade. I’ve listened to the X.8 amps and I think they’re really good. The XA.8 amps I don’t care for at all. No tomatoes please.

    Best,
    Ken
    I compared my XA160.5 to a friend's XA160.8 in my system with my old Magico Mini IIs. Everyone there much preferred the .5. Then a few weeks later, we compared the same two amps in my friend's system with his Magico M Pros. Everyone preferred the .8 this time. I think preference very much depends on context. The XS150 seemed to combine the best of both the .5 and .8 in my friend's system. I wrote a comparison on a different forum.

    The 200.5 is quite rare and difficult to find. I could not deal with the heat as my 160.5 is tough enough in the summers.
    Link to my system thread: https://www.whatsbestforum.com/threa...l-sound.32867/
    Analog: Micro Seiki SX 8000 II, 2 NOS SME 3012R tonearms, 2 vdH Colibri Grand Cru, Colibri XPP
    Electronics: Lamm LP2.1 Deluxe, Lamm LL1.1 Signature, Lamm ML2
    Speakers: Vitavox CN-191 corner horns
    Cables: Stock SME phono cables, DIY ICs and speaker cables, Ching Cheng power cords, custom rack and amp stands

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Pass Laboratories XA200.8 pure Class A monoblock amplifiers Review, Part 1

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