Thread: Pass XA160.8 vs Pass X600.8 ....

Now this could get interesting.

Anyone hear the X600.8 amps?

How do they compare to the 160.8's other than Class a vs AB? Retail is the same price.

http://hometheaterhifi.com/reviews/a...wer-amplifier/

I believe they are essentially the same amplifier, just “biased” differently for the change from Class A to Class A/B? Why not call Pass and ask them, they are usually very helpful?

Originally Posted by AThrillOfHope

Thank you @rbbert and @GSOphile.

Thank you for the confirmation that they are essentially the "same" amp but with different biases. I am OCD so I need things spelled out for me.

Per both your advice, have corresponded with Pass Labs and THE Kent English responded. Kinda like talking to a celebrity round these parts. He directed me to the X600.8s given my speakers being Wilson Alexia Series 2. He said they are more dynamic on the Alexia 2s than the XA160.8.

Not sure when the last time was when a high-end globally successful audio company responded to me--let alone in one day. I think I may be a Pass Labs fanboy for life now.

With the Point 5 Series, I almost always preferred the XA.5 amps to the X.5 amps. But with the Point 8 Series, I almost always prefer the X.8 amps to the XA.8 amps.

Ken

Originally Posted by Alpinist

With the Point 5 Series, I almost always preferred the XA.5 amps to the X.5 amps. But with the Point 8 Series, I almost always prefer the X.8 amps to the XA.8 amps.

Ken

When the chance to grab a reconditioned XA30.5 came up recently I grabbed it

I had a poor experience with the 350.8 on my YGs. JRDG 625s2 (and even underpowered Luxman m900) was much better. It also didn't sound as powerful as it was rated. Quite frankly, I was very puzzled in the results and expected much better. That's why you have to audition multiple units...

I think the 200.5s are/were the only Pass unit that can work and I can't take the heat out west.

Originally Posted by KeithR

I had a poor experience with the 350.8 on my YGs. JRDG 625s2 (and even underpowered Luxman m900) was much better. It also didn't sound as powerful as it was rated. Quite frankly, I was very puzzled in the results and expected much better. That's why you have to audition multiple units...

I think the 200.5s are/were the only Pass unit that can work and I can't take the heat out west.

You can probably use an XA30.5 (or a First Watt) on those Fynes...

Curious if you had the 350.8 checked out. That doesn't sound like typical Pass behavior. I remember Mike saying the 350.8 was the sweetspot in the line, that could have only been referring to sound perhaps.

Originally Posted by KeithR

I had a poor experience with the 350.8 on my YGs. JRDG 625s2 (and even underpowered Luxman m900) was much better. It also didn't sound as powerful as it was rated. Quite frankly, I was very puzzled in the results and expected much better. That's why you have to audition multiple units...

I think the 200.5s are/were the only Pass unit that can work and I can't take the heat out west.

The X350.8 drives my Blades with ease. Blades are 4 ohm speakers, 3.2 ohm min. Hard to believe they would be lacking power with virtually any speaker.

Originally Posted by rbbert

You can probably use an XA30.5 (or a First Watt) on those Fynes...

On my Fyne 703s, which are 2 dB less sensitive than the F1-10s, in my RoomPlay Reference demo room - 21.5 x 18.5 x 8.5 - my Pass INT. 60 has never had any trouble driving them.

That being the case, I would think that the Pass 60 watt mono-blocks - or higher power units - would certainly work power-wise with the F1-10 speakers that are almost twice as efficient as mine.

Once the F1-10s are burned in, then it it should be fairly straight-forward to get the right amp.

A while back, I still had my Viva Aurora monoblocs - 34 watts/channel, and my Audiopax 88 monoblocs - 60 watts/channel - to use with my modified Tannoy Canterburys, which had the same 96dB efficiency specs as the F1-10s, and there was never any need for more power in countless demos.

Naturally, this assumes getting the speakers set up to work efficiently with the room, rather than against it.

IMO, of course...

Originally Posted by Mr Peabody

Curious if you had the 350.8 checked out. That doesn't sound like typical Pass behavior. I remember Mike saying the 350.8 was the sweetspot in the line, that could have only been referring to sound perhaps.

It was a brand new unit. Properly burned in, of course. Horses for courses.