Thread: Pass XA25
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October 25, 2019, 11:32 PM #51
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October 26, 2019, 12:41 AM #52
Re: Pass XA25
Hi,
Yes. My only reason is because I have Avantgarde Duo XD. They are 107db efficient. The SIT3 has lower gain and offers a little sweeter and softer presentation on my speakers. I only need a few watts. My SIT3 needs a resistor across the speaker terminal to bring down the resistance that the amp sees to something that the amp can better manage. The SIT3 is a little more laid back as well giving me a slightly distant perspective on the music. It’s more tube like in its sound as well.
If my speakers were more difficult to drive and less efficient, I’d definitely use an XA25. It’s a superb amplifier.
Joe
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.
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October 26, 2019, 12:43 AM #53
Re: Pass XA25
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.
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October 26, 2019, 12:45 AM #54
Re: Pass XA25
I have no doubt that the MA352 will be wonderful. My brother has its little brother, the MA252 and he absolutely loves it. It’s also a wonderful little integrated. Having a more powerful MA352 would be great.
With digital sources, I always prefer a preamp in the chain. Usually a tube preamp like I mentioned previously. It helps breathe life into the music, in my opinion.
Last edited by joeinid; October 26, 2019 at 12:48 AM.
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.
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October 26, 2019, 10:42 PM #55
Re: Pass XA25
tried using my bel canto dac as pre amps a few times into my msb s200, it was detailed and a bit clinical . a good pre amp is better in my opinion. something like the xa25 deserves better
funnily enough a xa 25 just came up for sale s/h near me in Uk but i cant afford it at the moment .1]bel canto EIX/ F5 monoblocks . BC cd2, tannoy eaton legacy 2]bel canto pre 5 ,arcam a85 , black ice modded dac
modded dac , marantz sa8005, Verity audio Rienzi
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October 26, 2019, 10:58 PM #56
- Join Date
- Dec 2018
- Posts
- 21
Re: Pass XA25
I would wait to audition the Ma352 to make the decision. And about Accuphase E-650, I'm not sure if it is a great int. amp. or not. Me and my brother have compared it side by side with the Luxman 590 AX II and Cary 390.2 on Tannoy Kensington GRs and found that the 650's high was harsh and the low was too tight/less impact.
I'm thinking about what pre-amp I should purchase now. That would be a difficult decision because there are so many options out there
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October 26, 2019, 11:33 PM #57
Re: Pass XA25
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.
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October 26, 2019, 11:35 PM #58
Re: Pass XA25
Harsh high on E650? Something is not right and as Joe and I know they need few days to settle in even it’s broken in
Sent from my iPad using TapatalkPaul
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October 26, 2019, 11:45 PM #59Fleetwood 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.
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October 26, 2019, 11:46 PM #60
- Join Date
- Dec 2018
- Posts
- 21
Re: Pass XA25
You would easily hear when compare side by side with other amps. The E650 and Tannoy Kensington GRs we auditioned were demoed ones so they would have been fully broken in. The speaker cable was Vandenhul 3T The Cloud and it is said to be the perfect match for Tannoy and Accuphase. However, the sound quality of the E650 was not what we expected. The shop owner has warned us about the E650 before we auditioned but we didn't believe until we heard it with our own ears
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October 26, 2019, 11:48 PM #61
Re: Pass XA25
This again proves how important it is to demo gear and especially demo it in your own system.
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.
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October 27, 2019, 03:24 AM #62
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October 27, 2019, 07:29 AM #63
Re: Pass XA25
jeff day is in the process of writing up the XA25 for PF -- his usual prologue here with a nice historical account of nelson pass and his amps...
https://jeffsplace.positive-feedback...tive-feedback/
btw: would anyone advise against using the XA25 without a preamp in the signal chain -- ie: direct input from a DAC with preamp such as t+a dac8 dsd, etc ?viking acoustics berlin r mk2 | air tight atc-5 + atm-300r | clearaudio concept + virtuoso v2 MM | t+a dac8 dsd + kanjiroba diy transport + roon rock
alp-tone audio analog cables | core audio designs plyKraft 3L | hifi racks ltd podium t5-iii
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October 27, 2019, 09:44 AM #64
Re: Pass XA25
Thank you for the link.
You can certainly use the XA25 direct. It’s a personal preference if you like what you hear or not. You will not hurt the amp but the sound will be a little sharper, cleaner and more detailed dac direct. Some prefer it that way, most don’t and want a preamp in the chain. A preamp will soften the sound a little but mainly add musicality. No right or wrong.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.
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October 27, 2019, 04:25 PM #65
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November 7, 2019, 11:53 AM #66
- Join Date
- Dec 2018
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Re: Pass XA25
I have placed order on the NAD M22 V2. I want to ask if anyone has problem with the XA25 so far? 'Cause I'm going to place order on the XA25 soon. The only thing make me hesitate is my friend who was the technician told me that he fixed 2 XA25s for his customers and they got the same problem.
EDIT: I HAVE PULLED THE TRIGGER AND PLACED ORDER ON THE XA25
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December 15, 2019, 10:01 AM #67
Re: Pass XA25
what was wrong with the xa25 `s ?
1]bel canto EIX/ F5 monoblocks . BC cd2, tannoy eaton legacy 2]bel canto pre 5 ,arcam a85 , black ice modded dac
modded dac , marantz sa8005, Verity audio Rienzi
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December 15, 2019, 10:19 AM #68
Re: Pass XA25
XA25 sounds awesome to me. Never heard of any issues with it.
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.
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December 15, 2019, 09:24 PM #69
- Join Date
- Dec 2018
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Re: Pass XA25
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December 25, 2019, 09:51 PM #70
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Re: Pass XA25
My first impression on the XA25 and Tannoy Kensington GRs combo was the overall sound was real, especially the vocal and the air around the singers' voice/instruments were refined. However, the XA25 takes around 30-60 mins to be at its best.
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December 25, 2019, 09:59 PM #71
Re: Pass XA25
Unfortunately all Pass and First Watt amps take up to an hour to sound their best. But the amps sound wonderful.
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.
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February 19, 2020, 06:01 AM #72
Re: Pass XA25
I just ordered an XA25. I have been using my Oppo 205 as a source with no preamp. Existing amps are Pass DIY monoblock 7wpc, Class A. Speakers
are rated 94 sensitivity. I do not think the "No preamp" option will work with the new XA25/Oppo 205.
Any suggestions for a "musical" used tube preamp solution?
$3k max.
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March 2, 2020, 07:34 PM #73Fleetwood 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.
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March 2, 2020, 08:13 PM #74
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December 8, 2021, 01:18 PM #75
Re: Pass XA25
We just got one in for inventory/stock. Ordered in August!!
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk ProMy Systems: http://www.audioshark.org/showthread...481#post158481
"We can hear everything we measure, but we can't measure everything we hear. Let your ears be your guide."
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December 15, 2021, 12:03 PM #76
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Re: Pass XA25
I have a used xa25 enroute. I am currently using a Parasound A21 with my Macintosh c2300 tube preamp. Looking forward to it's arrival. This will be my first Pass labs amp. I will be driving a pair of Snell JIV's that I restored that are 95db sensitivity. I listen to LOTS of vinyl.I am hoping this combo will satisfy my latest upgrade 'bug'..lol
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December 15, 2021, 09:18 PM #77
Re: Pass XA25
Welcome gene9p!
_______________
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
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