Pass XA.5 vs XA.8

**BlueFox** · September 23, 2014, 10:58 PM

I would use painters tape and tape the cardboard to the front. It is a shame somebody designs a great amp and leaves out a very important aesthetic detail.

**scb** · September 24, 2014, 01:48 PM

I miss my xa60.8s

**madfloyd** · September 24, 2014, 03:48 PM

I miss my XA160.8's

**scb** · September 24, 2014, 03:56 PM

Where'd they go? I had to sell my amps when I moved. Severely downsizing and might end up getting a Devialet

**madfloyd** · September 24, 2014, 04:15 PM

Nowhere. I'm in London on business,

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

**Alpinist** · September 24, 2014, 04:57 PM

Just turned on my 100.8's for a little warm-up before the concert begins. You'll be back home listening to your 160.8's before you know it. Something to look forward too.

**madfloyd** · September 24, 2014, 05:21 PM

What's the concert tonight?

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

**Mike** · September 24, 2014, 05:21 PM

My XS150's and XS preamp shipped today.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

**madfloyd** · September 24, 2014, 05:22 PM

Originally Posted by Mike

My XS150's and XS preamp shipped today.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Now that's pretty darn exciting!

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

**Alpinist** · September 24, 2014, 05:44 PM

Originally Posted by madfloyd

What's the concert tonight?

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Starting with some Ben Webster and Oscar Peterson...

Ken

**Alpinist** · September 24, 2014, 05:45 PM

Originally Posted by Mike

My XS150's and XS preamp shipped today.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Great news, Mike! You must be stoked.

**Mike** · September 24, 2014, 05:50 PM

Originally Posted by Alpinist

Great news, Mike! You must be stoked.

Stoked and broke! LOL. I'm absolutely beyond excited. I LOVE Pass with Strads. Its a perfect match. I've tried 60.5's, 160.5's, 100.8's. All were incredible.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

**Alpinist** · September 24, 2014, 06:00 PM

Originally Posted by Mike

Stoked and broke! LOL. I'm absolutely beyond excited. I LOVE Pass with Strads. Its a perfect match. I've tried 60.5's, 160.5's, 100.8's. All were incredible.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Mike,

What a great combination, the most soulful speakers with the most soulful amps! I'm actually most envious of the XS Pre you'll soon be enjoying.

Ken

**madfloyd** · September 24, 2014, 06:14 PM

Originally Posted by Alpinist

Starting with some Ben Webster and Oscar Peterson...

Ken

You, sir, have great taste.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

**Alpinist** · September 24, 2014, 06:21 PM

Originally Posted by madfloyd

You, sir, have great taste.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Thanks!

**Mike** · September 24, 2014, 06:29 PM

Originally Posted by Alpinist

Mike,

What a great combination, the most soulful speakers with the most soulful amps! I'm actually most envious of the XS Pre you'll soon be enjoying.

Ken

Thanks Ken. I whole heartily agree. Strads and Pass is soulful synergy.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

**Audioseduction** · September 24, 2014, 08:14 PM

Originally Posted by Mike

My XS150's and XS preamp shipped today.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Sweet!

**tunes** · September 24, 2014, 08:40 PM

Originally Posted by BlueFox

I would use painters tape and tape the cardboard to the front. It is a shame somebody designs a great amp and leaves out a very important aesthetic detail.

I used cardboard as well for a while but then figured i could use photographic paper, cut to just slightly larger diameter than the blue meter, and then i would slide them in place. Very faint glow, but almost completely blocked out and looked way better than cardboard in the daylight.

**iosiP** · September 24, 2014, 09:27 PM

I understand you, gentlemen: my first night with a stack full of Chord component felt like listening to music while watching an aerial view of Las Vegas.

**BlueFox** · September 24, 2014, 09:31 PM

I have thought of replacing the cardboard with something a bit more upscale, but haven't got around to it yet. I will remove the cardboard during the day, but once the sun goes down, it goes back in. At night, 99% of the time the front of my house is only illuminated with a recessed 18" flouresent bulb in the kitchen.

**Mark Jones** · September 24, 2014, 09:32 PM

I truly love the brands I sell, that is why I chose them.

However, Pass is probably the brand I love the most that I don't sell. I feel Nelson Pass is one of the all time greats in this wonderful but crazy industry.

I'm really looking forward to hearing all about Mike's XS's when they arrive.

**tunes** · September 24, 2014, 09:42 PM

Yes, those xs amps are going to be dynamite on the strads Mike!

**Mark Jones** · September 24, 2014, 09:53 PM

Originally Posted by tunes

Yes, those xs amps are going to be dynamite on the strads Mike!

Agreed.

**Alpinist** · September 25, 2014, 10:41 PM

Originally Posted by tunes

Yes, those xs amps are going to be dynamite on the strads Mike!

It's hard for me to even imagine a step up from the sound quality of my XP-30 and XA-100.8's. The midrange on these components is to die for. But Mike is going to have it with his XS Pre and XS-150's. We'll want a full report when you get them plugged into the Strads.

Ken

**Mike** · September 25, 2014, 10:45 PM

Originally Posted by Alpinist

It's hard for me to even imagine a step up from the sound quality of my XP-30 and XA-100.8's. The midrange on these components is to die for. But Mike is going to have it with his XS Pre and XS-150's. We'll want a full report when you get them plugged into the Strads.

Ken

You can be sure of that Ken. I heard the 100.8's in my system and was blown away.

ImageUploadedByTapatalk1411699535.625313.jpg

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

**KeithR** · September 26, 2014, 12:44 AM

Heard the XS300s- biggest amps ive ever seen. Reminded me of the Rowland 9tis back in the day. Should sound retarded good on Strads.

The SIT amps sound better than the XA.5 series and were used to design the XS as i recall.

**Mike** · October 2, 2014, 09:54 AM

Originally Posted by KeithR

Heard the XS300s- biggest amps ive ever seen. Reminded me of the Rowland 9tis back in the day. Should sound retarded good on Strads.

The SIT amps sound better than the XA.5 series and were used to design the XS as i recall.

Keith - the XS amps (and XS preamp) are in the system and the combo sounds superb. Nelson Pass truly is a genius. I feel that these amps are such a level above anything I have or have had. No wonder all those early adopters like Michael Kim never even hint at selling theirs. Now I understand why.

As for size? Holy crap - they are huge (and heavy).

Heat has not been an issue (knock on wood). Where I have the amps, I have two huge cold air vents blowing directly on them.

You are correct about the SIT amps being the starting point for the three year voicing period of the XS amps.

I'm honestly speechless. I just don't know how I could do better. Different? Yes. Better? Unlikely.

Mike

**mdkim** · October 2, 2014, 07:01 PM

Mike:

I'm glad you're enjoying the 500+ lbs. of Pass gear

.

**Alpinist** · October 2, 2014, 07:47 PM

Originally Posted by mdkim

Mike:

I'm glad you're enjoying the 500+ lbs. of Pass gear

.

500 pounds of bliss!

I bet a backache never felt so good, huh Mike? It took my back two days to recover after shipping out my XA-100.5's and setting up my XA-100.8's. But it was worth every twinge.

Ken

**Mike** · October 2, 2014, 07:48 PM

Ken - I'm over the moon. I listened to Albert King/SRV - In Session and it NEVER sounded like that before.

I hope you can hear the amazing synergy between Pass and Strads.

Mike

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

**Alpinist** · October 2, 2014, 08:14 PM

Originally Posted by Mike

Ken - I'm over the moon. I listened to Albert King/SRV - In Session and it NEVER sounded like that before.

I hope you can hear the amazing synergy between Pass and Strads.

Mike

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Mike,

I can't wait to lay my ears on some Strads. The synergy you're experiencing must be unbelievable. What are you enjoying most so far, rock, jazz or classical?

My Salon 2's sound terrific with my Pass gear but I don't think they're as synergistic a match as Pass and Strads. The Salon 2's are so neutral that they are very much a blank canvas to be painted on by the rest of your gear. But they don't produce a natural musicality unto themselves, they just pass it along. The synergistic match you have achieved is actually pretty rare, something to be savored like a fine wine.

Enjoy,
Ken

**Mike** · October 2, 2014, 08:20 PM

Ken - I've owned Salon 2's and Studio 2's. They are excellent speakers. But IMO - the Strads are on another level. They have soul.

I've been listening to everything - Jazz, rock, blues, even some classical.

Just finished listening to Albert King/SRV - In Session.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

**socfan12** · October 2, 2014, 08:21 PM

Congrats, Mike! Sounds like you are in audio heaven!

**Mike** · October 2, 2014, 08:32 PM

Thanks Allen - definitely yes.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

**Alpinist** · October 2, 2014, 09:23 PM

Originally Posted by Mike

Ken - I've owned Salon 2's and Studio 2's. They are excellent speakers. But IMO - the Strads are on another level. They have soul.

I've been listening to everything - Jazz, rock, blues, even some classical.

Just finished listening to Albert King/SRV - In Session.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Mike,

I would love to hear Pie Jesu - Rutter's Requiem - Turtle Creek Chorale on your Pass XS / Strad combo. And then follow With You I'm Born Again - Jazz in the Key of Blue - Roy Hargrove.

Ken

**Mike** · October 2, 2014, 09:30 PM

Originally Posted by Alpinist

Mike,

I would love to hear Pie Jesu - Rutter's Requiem - Turtle Creek Chorale on your Pass XS / Strad combo. And then follow With You I'm Born Again - Jazz in the Key of Blue - Roy Hargrove.

Ken

Ok, you better bring it with you.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

**Alpinist** · October 2, 2014, 09:42 PM

Originally Posted by Mike

Ok, you better bring it with you.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

**db33** · October 3, 2014, 05:01 AM

Hallo Mike,

Sonus Faber are sure great speaker but is a personal taste.

Personaly I find the Sonus a good match with McIntosh gears......but I dont like this combo...Is not my taste. too much "soft"...a slow motion...

well IMHO!!!

I like Passlabs and I have Pass too! with Wilson Sasha2.

Speakers like Isophon/Ayon/Tidal/Estelon/Focal/Wilson.... hard sound is for me the Top.

Is sure a personal taste....Sonus Faber is much appreciated, no way but is not for me.

In your signature I read that you have the XS preamp. -> before you had ampli like Xp20/30 with the XS150 dual chassis?

Is this Top preampli "on the edge"?

thank you

**Mike** · October 3, 2014, 08:51 AM

Originally Posted by db33

Hallo Mike,

Sonus Faber are sure great speaker but is a personal taste.

Personaly I find the Sonus a good match with McIntosh gears......but I dont like this combo...Is not my taste. too much "soft"...a slow motion...

well IMHO!!!

I like Passlabs and I have Pass too! with Wilson Sasha2.

Speakers like Isophon/Ayon/Tidal/Estelon/Focal/Wilson.... hard sound is for me the Top.

Is sure a personal taste....Sonus Faber is much appreciated, no way but is not for me.

In your signature I read that you have the XS preamp. -> before you had ampli like Xp20/30 with the XS150 dual chassis?

Is this Top preampli "on the edge"?

thank you

db33 - I understand your view on the Mc/SF combo. As much as I loved my McIntosh 2301's on the Strads, they seemed slow. I was the first to mention this at another forum got roasted for it. Turns out, I was right. Many others have since found the same thing. But it's still a great amp....but Pass is better IMO.

I can imagine Pass with the Sasha 2's as being a great combination. Which Pass amps do you have?

I owned the Wilson Alexia's, but never got a chance to test them with Pass gear. I tried lots of other gear though: D'Agostino, McIntosh, Cary, VAC, etc. The D'Agostino's were excellent, but my room proved too problematic for the Wilson speakers.

If you have not heard the Stradivari's, I would encourage you to do so. They have soul. They are a Masterpiece from the late Sonus Faber founder Franco Serblin. They are my definition of musical vs audiophile sound type speakers.

Yes, I have the XS preamp, but did not own any previous Pass preamp to compare it with. I know MDKIM (Michael) here on Audioshark.org has gone from the XP30 to the XS preamp. Perhaps he can offer his comments and insight.

I have two world class preamps - the Pass XS and a heavily modified VAC which technically sits between the Master and the Statement. I have not compared the two on the Pass amps....but may one day. The synergy between the XS preamp and XS amps is something I just don't want to mess with right now - not even for testing purposes.

I am anxiously awaiting the arrival of the XS Phonostage (to be announced sometime early next year). That will be my next move.

In the end, I would suggest that if you can move up to the XS preamp, you won't be disappointed.

Mike

**Audioseduction** · October 3, 2014, 09:12 AM

So Mike, are the Pass XS150s a keeper?

**The Sandman** · October 3, 2014, 09:49 AM

Originally Posted by Audioseduction

So Mike, are the Pass XS150s a keeper?

If not for listening, for juggling.

**Mike** · October 3, 2014, 09:53 AM

Originally Posted by Audioseduction

So Mike, are the Pass XS150s a keeper?

YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

**scb** · October 3, 2014, 09:56 AM

Originally Posted by Mike

I just don't know how I could do better

The 300s. duh

**Mike** · October 3, 2014, 10:08 AM

Originally Posted by scb

The 300s. duh

OMG - yes! But I won't trade 3db gain for twice the heat.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

**mdkim** · October 3, 2014, 10:20 AM

The Xs pre brings so much refinement and nuance in comparison to the XP30. Tiny tiny variations in dynamics, cleaner decay, and even better bass texture than the XP30 - which is, IMO, an already outstanding piece. And, as Mike mentions, everything comes from one of the blackest backgrounds that I've ever experienced. I also feel the Xs allows me to hear deeper into the rest of system. Cable/source changes are even more readily distinguishable.

IMO, the Xs amp/pre combo is hard to top or move from once you've experienced it. And it should for its price. It's why I've chosen to build my system around them.

Mike, I've found the amps sound a touch smoother after being on for several hours

. My electricity bill is consistently $80-120 higher after I switched to Pass. Congratz again and enjoy the heck out of them.

**Audioseduction** · October 3, 2014, 01:18 PM

Originally Posted by mdkim

The Xs pre brings so much refinement and nuance in comparison to the XP30. Tiny tiny variations in dynamics, cleaner decay, and even better bass texture than the XP30 - which is, IMO, an already outstanding piece. And, as Mike mentions, everything comes from one of the blackest backgrounds that I've ever experienced. I also feel the Xs allows me to hear deeper into the rest of system. Cable/source changes are even more readily distinguishable.

IMO, the Xs amp/pre combo is hard to top or move from once you've experienced it. And it should for its price. It's why I've chosen to build my system around them.

Mike, I've found the amps sound a touch smoother after being on for several hours

. My electricity bill is consistently $80-120 higher after I switched to Pass. Congratz again and enjoy the heck out of them.

That's why I leave my Pass amps on for 4 hours before I listen to them. I don't want 98% but 100% of Pass performance!

**Mike** · October 3, 2014, 01:32 PM

Originally Posted by mdkim

The Xs pre brings so much refinement and nuance in comparison to the XP30. Tiny tiny variations in dynamics, cleaner decay, and even better bass texture than the XP30 - which is, IMO, an already outstanding piece. And, as Mike mentions, everything comes from one of the blackest backgrounds that I've ever experienced. I also feel the Xs allows me to hear deeper into the rest of system. Cable/source changes are even more readily distinguishable.

IMO, the Xs amp/pre combo is hard to top or move from once you've experienced it. And it should for its price. It's why I've chosen to build my system around them.

Mike, I've found the amps sound a touch smoother after being on for several hours

. My electricity bill is consistently $80-120 higher after I switched to Pass. Congratz again and enjoy the heck out of them.

Mike - this is a great explanation of the XS preamp and exactly what I'm hearing in comparison to previous systems. I can fully understand (now) why you built your system around the XS gear. Having owned the XA.5 series, enjoyed the XA.8 series in my system and now owning the XS series, it is clear to see why Pass remains an worldwide industry leader.

**mep** · October 3, 2014, 01:54 PM

Originally Posted by Mike

YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

Somebody please note the time and date!

**annapolis Raider** · October 3, 2014, 02:42 PM

noted, lol

**Mike** · October 3, 2014, 03:31 PM

Originally Posted by mep

Somebody please note the time and date!

Originally Posted by annapolis Raider

noted, lol

I can't say I blame you.

Thread: Pass XA.5 vs XA.8

Re: Pass XA.5 vs XA.8

Re: Pass XA.5 vs XA.8

Pass XA.5 vs XA.8

Re: Pass XA.5 vs XA.8

Re: Pass XA.5 vs XA.8

Re: Pass XA.5 vs XA.8

Re: Pass XA.5 vs XA.8

Re: Pass XA.5 vs XA.8

Re: Pass XA.5 vs XA.8

Re: Pass XA.5 vs XA.8

Re: Pass XA.5 vs XA.8

Re: Pass XA.5 vs XA.8

Re: Pass XA.5 vs XA.8

Re: Pass XA.5 vs XA.8

Re: Pass XA.5 vs XA.8

Re: Pass XA.5 vs XA.8

Re: Pass XA.5 vs XA.8

Re: Pass XA.5 vs XA.8

Re: Pass XA.5 vs XA.8

Re: Pass XA.5 vs XA.8

Pass XA.5 vs XA.8

Re: Pass XA.5 vs XA.8

Re: Pass XA.5 vs XA.8

Re: Pass XA.5 vs XA.8

Re: Pass XA.5 vs XA.8

Re: Pass XA.5 vs XA.8

Re: Pass XA.5 vs XA.8

Re: Pass XA.5 vs XA.8

Re: Pass XA.5 vs XA.8

Re: Pass XA.5 vs XA.8

Re: Pass XA.5 vs XA.8

Re: Pass XA.5 vs XA.8

Re: Pass XA.5 vs XA.8

Re: Pass XA.5 vs XA.8

Re: Pass XA.5 vs XA.8

Re: Pass XA.5 vs XA.8

Re: Pass XA.5 vs XA.8

Re: Pass XA.5 vs XA.8

Re: Pass XA.5 vs XA.8

Re: Pass XA.5 vs XA.8

Re: Pass XA.5 vs XA.8

Re: Pass XA.5 vs XA.8

Re: Pass XA.5 vs XA.8

Re: Pass XA.5 vs XA.8

Re: Pass XA.5 vs XA.8

Re: Pass XA.5 vs XA.8

Re: Pass XA.5 vs XA.8

Re: Pass XA.5 vs XA.8

Re: Pass XA.5 vs XA.8

Posting Permissions