Thread: Pass XA100.8 Review

Review: Pass Laboratories XA100.8 mono block amplifiers | Confessions of a Part-Time Audiophile

I do love my XA60.5's. Maybe I'll stay put for a while

Originally Posted by joeinid

I do love my XA60.5's. Maybe I'll stay put for a while

Says the guy who just bought yet another amp.

Ha!

It's funny, the desire is waning. What I have is spectacular and I love my Jolida. I know it's "inexpensive" but satisfies on a huge scale. Maybe because the bang for my buck is so high with it.

I love the treble and midrange so much on the Pass XA60.5's that I don't find any problem with the bass. For me, the treble and midrange are more important. I'll admit, I love the gear, I know what "I" like and do love the music.

I'll be honest, there are maybe 1 or 2 other amps I need to "try" but that will be for next year, hopefully.

Originally Posted by mep

Says the guy who just bought yet another amp.

Joe,

(tube)Roll out the Jolida to the max and perhaps you may find the itch completely disappears. Sooo many tube models and brands to try.

Thanks Norman. I will.

Originally Posted by wisnon

Joe,

(tube)Roll out the Jolida to the max and perhaps you may find the itch completely disappears. Sooo many tube models and brands to try.

Originally Posted by joeinid

Ha!

It's funny, the desire is waning. What I have is spectacular and I love my Jolida. I know it's "inexpensive" but satisfies on a huge scale. Maybe because the bang for my buck is so high with it.

I love the treble and midrange so much on the Pass XA60.5's that I don't find any problem with the bass. For me, the treble and midrange are more important. I'll admit, I love the gear, I know what "I" like and do love the music.

I'll be honest, there are maybe 1 or 2 other amps I need to "try" but that will be for next year, hopefully.

Joe, did I miss it? Did you get your triode wired cjs yet?

Hi Myles,

I had planned on sending in the ARTsa for triode wiring. I kind of chickened out a little on that one. I still may do it. The cost is minimal but for some reason I am hesitating. Not 100% sure why. It's still in the box

What are your thoughts on doing the conversion of the ARTsa to triode with EL-34's?

Originally Posted by Myles B. Astor

Joe, did I miss it? Did you get your triode wired cjs yet?

Originally Posted by joeinid

Hi Myles,

I had planned on sending in the ARTsa for triode wiring. I kind of chickened out a little on that one. I still may do it. The cost is minimal but for some reason I am hesitating. Not 100% sure why. It's still in the box

What are your thoughts on doing the conversion of the ARTsa to triode with EL-34's?

No decision is a decision. I agree with the decision.

Originally Posted by Mike

Review: Pass Laboratories XA100.8 mono block amplifiers | Confessions of a Part-Time Audiophile

Thanks for posting this review, Mike.

It just goes to show how subjective this stuff is. Having owned the XA-100.5 for over a year, I really didn't agree with the reviewer's comments about its treble at all. However, I do agree that the XA-100.8 is a big step up in almost every way.

Ken

Originally Posted by Alpinist

Thanks for posting this review, Mike.

It just goes to show how subjective this stuff is. Having owned the XA-100.5 for over a year, I really didn't agree with the reviewer's comments about its treble at all. However, I do agree that the XA-100.8 is a big step up in almost every way.

Ken

I've heard both xa160.8s and xa100.8s several times. I don't think they are better but just a differant sound. I personaly prefer the sound of my xa160.5s over both of them.

Originally Posted by Audioseduction

I've heard both xa160.8s and 1xa100.8s several times. I don't think they are better but just a differant sound. I personaly prefer the sound of my xa160.5s over both of them.

Hi George,

I think it really comes down to personal preference. I never heard the XA-160.5 or XA-160.8 in my room, so I don't have an opinion on them. But I did own both the XA-100.5 and XA-100.8 at the same time and was able to do a head-to-head comparison in my room. Basically, after listening to the 100.8's, the sound was so much more clear and pure that when I went back to the 100.5's, they sounded somewhat muddy in comparison and were not as enjoyable as before. Listening to the transparency of the 100.8's really changed my point of reference as well as exposing how euphonic the 100.5's sounded in comparison. However, before I had heard the 100.8's, I was totally enamored with the sound of the 100.5's. It's funny how that works. I would probably still own the XP-30 and XA-100.8's if not for my desire to purchase Raidho D3's. I was also having some issues with heat management with the 100.8's even though I have central a/c. They put out a lot of heat, substantially more overall heat than the 100.5's, although the heat is distributed much more evenly due to the new vertical heat sinking.

Ken

Originally Posted by joeinid

Ha!

It's funny, the desire is waning. What I have is spectacular and I love my Jolida. I know it's "inexpensive" but satisfies on a huge scale. Maybe because the bang for my buck is so high with it.

I love the treble and midrange so much on the Pass XA60.5's that I don't find any problem with the bass. For me, the treble and midrange are more important. I'll admit, I love the gear, I know what "I" like and do love the music.

I'll be honest, there are maybe 1 or 2 other amps I need to "try" but that will be for next year, hopefully.

+1 to that Joe. I'll be the first to admit...for about 7 years now; I've been on a box-swapping tear! Sometimes...when I'm trying to remember all the ear; I'll wholly forget pieces that I had. Like "oh, that's right; I had a..."

But you know what; I wouldn't trade it, or do anything differently. I took some heat for it...but it was just the phase I was in. I wanted to try it all, and I did what I could.

But, much like aversion therapy...lol; now...it's time to enter a new phase. It's maybe only because, I have heard so much (and look...in this company, that's relative); that when I settle down, I can truly exhale...and feel confident, I've got a set-up that makes me entirely content.

That said...what are the models you still want to try?

Originally Posted by CDLehner

+1 to that Joe. I'll be the first to admit...for about 7 years now; I've been on a box-swapping tear! Sometimes...when I'm trying to remember all the ear; I'll wholly forget pieces that I had. Like "oh, that's right; I had a..."

But you know what; I wouldn't trade it, or do anything differently. I took some heat for it...but it was just the phase I was in. I wanted to try it all, and I did what I could.

But, much like aversion therapy...lol; now...it's time to enter a new phase. It's maybe only because, I have heard so much (and look...in this company, that's relative); that when I settle down, I can truly exhale...and feel confident, I've got a set-up that makes me entirely content.

That said...what are the models you still want to try?

Ha! Too funny.

Well, I may try and get a pair of MC2301's for the Strads. I know they are a polarizing choice, but one I "may" need to get out of my system. As time goes on, it's not as important, but there were goosebump moments in past demos with Strads and MC2301's when I heard them. Even as much as I love my other amps on the Strads, no goosebumps, but there is beautiful music.

I may end up with a CJ Classic Sixty SE with EL-34's. Love that CJ sound. My listening habits are different from many of the members here. My stereo is on 12-15 hours a day. Some serious listening but mostly for enjoyment as I go about my day/night. Smaller tube amps or solid state amps are more welcome in this situation.

I do want to play with the ARC Ref 75, Primaluna HP and Rogue Stereo 100 as well. I won't lie, a pair of XA60.8's or XA100.8's might be fun too.

I like to hear the XA100.8 on my Westies !!!!!

Originally Posted by Paul

I like to hear the XA100.8 on my Westies !!!!!

Originally Posted by Paul

I like to hear the XA100.8 on my Westies !!!!!

Paul,

You might want to try the XA-60.8's as well. Their bass presentation is the most like the XA.5 series amps (less bass), which some prefer. They also will produce a lot less heat in your room.

Ken