Accuphase P-6100 vs. Pass Labs X350.5

[Dave]

Which would you say is the better one of these 2 powerhouse amps? I'm having trouble deciding! The Accuphase has arguably better parts and build quality, but the Pass Labs price is more attractive!

My speakers are JBL S4700s. They are quite sensitive, but they respond better to high power due to their 15 inch woofers. Plus, I believe they dip below 4 Ohms.

 

[Mike]

You would really have to audition both. I think the Pass XA60.5's might be the best bet overall...with your speakers 94db efficiency, that should be plenty of power and the Class A topology will sound amazing on those big horns. Only tubes (like a VAC phi200) would be better IMO. But if tubes aren't for you, then the XA60.5's on 94db efficient speakers will be sweet.

 

[Dave]

You would really have to audition both. I think the Pass XA60.5's might be the best bet overall...with your speakers 94db efficiency, that should be plenty of power and the Class A topology will sound amazing on those big horns. Only tubes (like a VAC phi200) would be better IMO. But if tubes aren't for you, then the XA60.5's on 94db efficient speakers will be sweet.

Yeah, my dealer in CA carries both lines, but does not have both models on display! Ok, I'll take that into consideration...but I'm not sure they'll be able to control those woofers to my liking. Thanks! Perhaps bi-amping would work, with a smaller class A amp on the mids and tweeters and a bigger A/B amp on the woofers...

 

[Mike]

Yeah, my dealer in CA carries both lines, but does not have both models on display! Ok, I'll take that into consideration...but I'm not sure they'll be able to control those woofers to my liking. Thanks! Perhaps bi-amping would work, with a smaller class A amp on the mids and tweeters and a bigger A/B amp on the woofers...

I would start with the Class A (XA series). If you need to biamp, you can always add an X series amp like the 250.5. You might be surprised with just the little XA60.5's.

Mike

 

[Dave]

I would start with the Class A (XA series). If you need to biamp, you can always add an X series amp like the 250.5. You might be surprised with just the little XA60.5's.

Mike

Ok, thanks again. But, I still have my sights on the Accuphase, despite the much higher price! lol.

 

[volks]

I would start with the Class A (XA series). If you need to biamp, you can always add an X series amp like the 250.5. You might be surprised with just the little XA60.5's.

Mike

Mike do you ever miss your Pass amps?

 

[Mike]

Mike do you ever miss your Pass amps?

You have no idea. Yes! In fact, I've been talking to Joe about this very thing. A nice pair of XA60.5's or XA100.5's (plenty of power for the D3's). The more amps I hear, the more I realize just how damn good the XA amps are (the XS amps must be out of this world).

Most of the guys in our audiophile society are also big Pass fans, so I've been hearing the XA series all summer - and missing them.

If I lived in cold ass Calgary again, I wouldn't hesitate to own a pair.

 

[Dave]

Anyway, has anyone compared Pass Labs to Accuphase out there? Thanks.

 

[mdkim]

Dave:

While I was running a pair of XA160.5s I made the mistake of auditioning Accuphase's A200s. First, it shattered my misconception that Accuphase was lush and warm (I had heard Japanese McIntosh so many times I thought the sonics would be similar; I was wrong). While they are very smooth operators, they provide stunning detail and micro dynamics. The A200s, by comparison, were not as warm/lush as my 160.5s, but, I heard so much more of everything. I realized then that top shelf amplification could provide, for me, a better listening experience. Like a drug, once I heard it, I was hooked.

Now, I prefer a touch more warmth and I felt the A200s' 200 watts into 4 ohms may limit me so I went with the Xs amps. But, I'm confident that I would be plenty happy had I pulled the trigger on Accuphase.

I can't compare the A200s to the Xs since I didn't have them at the same time but you really can't go wrong with either line. IMO, if you're considering the XA60.5 and the A65 I'd go with Accuphase (sorry I know the thread is about the X series and P6100 but I wanted to put my comments into perspective with what I've experienced; and I have none with the items in your title). Hope this helps a bit.

 

[Dave]

Dave:

While I was running a pair of XA160.5s I made the mistake of auditioning Accuphase's A200s. First, it shattered my misconception that Accuphase was lush and warm (I had heard Japanese McIntosh so many times I thought the sonics would be similar; I was wrong). While they are very smooth operators, they provide stunning detail and micro dynamics. The A200s, by comparison, were not as warm/lush as my 160.5s, but, I heard so much more of everything. I realized then that top shelf amplification could provide, for me, a better listening experience. Like a drug, once I heard it, I was hooked.

Now, I prefer a touch more warmth and I felt the A200s' 200 watts into 4 ohms may limit me so I went with the Xs amps. But, I'm confident that I would be plenty happy had I pulled the trigger on Accuphase.

I can't compare the A200s to the Xs since I didn't have them at the same time but you really can't go wrong with either line. IMO, if you're considering the XA60.5 and the A65 I'd go with Accuphase (sorry I know the thread is about the X series and P6100 but I wanted to put my comments into perspective with what I've experienced; and I have none with the items in your title). Hope this helps a bit.

Ok, thank you very much for the feedback!

Yes, it definitely helps.

Actually, I did some intense research last night and I found that at least on paper the A-65 is the better amp than the P-6100.

1. Much more capacitance. The caps in that thing (A-65) are just a tad smaller than the ones in the A-200! Huge!

2. More output transistors per channel.

3. The A-65 is Class A...duh!

4. With the A-65 only being a bit more than the P-6100 in price, it's really a no brainer.

The huge transformer and huge caps in both the A-65 and A-200 should by all rights drive speakers to their fullest. I can't imagine why not!

No disrespect to Pass, but you don't find transformers and caps nearly that big until the top XA, X, and XS. As well as overall parts quality.

So, the bottom line is; the good stuff costs a lot, an arm and a leg even, but you get what you pay for!

And the whole "Japanese McIntosh" is a misnomer. Accuphase has got its own sound altogether and does not sound like McIntosh to my ears.

 

[joeinid]

I vote Accuphase unless you want the Xs Pass amps.

 

[Dave]

I vote Accuphase unless you want the Xs Pass amps.

Ok, thank you as well.