Results 1 to 13 of 13
-
June 20, 2020, 12:03 PM #1
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.
-
June 20, 2020, 12:53 PM #2
- Join Date
- Dec 2019
- Location
- USA
- Posts
- 786
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.
-
June 20, 2020, 03:16 PM #3
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.
-
June 20, 2020, 05:03 PM #4
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.jpegBud
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.
-
June 20, 2020, 05:04 PM #5
- Join Date
- Dec 2019
- Location
- USA
- Posts
- 786
-
June 20, 2020, 06:57 PM #6
Re: Pass Laboratories XA200.8 pure Class A monoblock amplifiers Review, Part 1
_______________
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
-
June 20, 2020, 07:37 PM #7
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.
-
June 20, 2020, 10:39 PM #8
- Join Date
- Aug 2019
- Location
- WA
- Posts
- 48
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....
-
June 20, 2020, 10:56 PM #9
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
-
June 20, 2020, 11:07 PM #10
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.
-
June 21, 2020, 02:17 AM #11
- Join Date
- Aug 2019
- Location
- WA
- Posts
- 48
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.
-
June 21, 2020, 03:48 AM #12
Re: 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.
-
June 22, 2020, 02:35 PM #13
Re: Pass Laboratories XA200.8 pure Class A monoblock amplifiers Review, Part 1
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
AudioShark - The Best High End Audio Discussion forum.
AudioShark forum is a leading forum site for High End Audio Discussion, Stereo System Discussion, Home Theater System Discussion, Best Home Stereo System Discussion, Home Theater Installation Discussion etc.
The AudioShark forum was created for sharing the passion of high-end Audio. We have Audiophiles from all over the world participating and sharing their knowledge. From novice to experts, you will find a friendly environment for discussing about High End Audio, Stereo System, Home Theater System, Home Stereo System, Home Theater Installation, Amplifiers, Speakers, Subwoofers, Integrated System, Acoustic treatments & Digital Room Corrections and many more.
At AudioShark, we also have incorporated an exciting Marketplace where members can peruse terrific buys on used gear, as well as meet dealers and discuss the purchase of new gear.
We are as crazy about this hobby as you are! So come on in and join us! Audioshark.org the Friendliest Audio Forum!
Industry Participation Disclosure : The owner and administrator of Audioshark is the owner of Suncoast Audio LLC in Sarasota Florida. Suncoast Audio has a full brick and mortar presence in Sarasota with several great show rooms with many world class brands. More information can be found at http://www.suncoastaudio.com
Audioshark is a community of like minded individuals. Audioshark welcomes participation from all manufacturers and owners of all brands and products. It is our belief that online forums provide a community of like minded audiophiles and music lovers to encourage the growth of this wonderful hobby.
Sincerely,
The Audioshark.org Team
AudioShark forum is a leading forum site for High End Audio Discussion, Stereo System Discussion, Home Theater System Discussion, Best Home Stereo System Discussion, Home Theater Installation Discussion etc.
The AudioShark forum was created for sharing the passion of high-end Audio. We have Audiophiles from all over the world participating and sharing their knowledge. From novice to experts, you will find a friendly environment for discussing about High End Audio, Stereo System, Home Theater System, Home Stereo System, Home Theater Installation, Amplifiers, Speakers, Subwoofers, Integrated System, Acoustic treatments & Digital Room Corrections and many more.
At AudioShark, we also have incorporated an exciting Marketplace where members can peruse terrific buys on used gear, as well as meet dealers and discuss the purchase of new gear.
We are as crazy about this hobby as you are! So come on in and join us! Audioshark.org the Friendliest Audio Forum!
Industry Participation Disclosure : The owner and administrator of Audioshark is the owner of Suncoast Audio LLC in Sarasota Florida. Suncoast Audio has a full brick and mortar presence in Sarasota with several great show rooms with many world class brands. More information can be found at http://www.suncoastaudio.com
Audioshark is a community of like minded individuals. Audioshark welcomes participation from all manufacturers and owners of all brands and products. It is our belief that online forums provide a community of like minded audiophiles and music lovers to encourage the growth of this wonderful hobby.
Sincerely,
The Audioshark.org Team
After 1 year of tremendous enjoyment with my new gear, I have been so lucky to audition a Gryphon Antileon EVO. Being dazzled by the sheer control through unlimited power and resulting vividness and...
Upgrade on the way...