More Info on the New.8 series Amps

laynesaddiction said:
Mike, Howard, All,
Thank you for your replies.

Mike: When I had the XA100.5 amps (also in a second story room), I would routinely get an increase of about 8 degrees in the first hour, peaking at about 10 degrees steady state. While this was less than your 12 degrees increase, you can see why I also had to sell them. I understand by definition of Class A one must deal with the inefficiencies of the design, but I was hoping somewhere down the line the laws of physics might be bent such than you could reap the Class A harvest without the drawbacks (perhaps the X.8 series).


It is interesting to hear you state that if you were buying today the XA60.8s would be on your list. Does this mean that to your ears you would prefer these to some of the units you currently have (particularly the D’Agostino amps)? I ask because prior to switching to the Momentums recently, I have been a dye-in-the-wool Pass guy since the late Threshold days. So, you absolutely don’t need to convince me that Mr. Pass is a world class designer that produces fantastic equipment. However, to my ears, I found the Momentums to be more to my liking across the board over the XA series. Of course, you might argue that is comparing apples to oranges (from a design and price pov) and that I should compare the Xs series (of which I have not yet heard). Given you have experience with both the X.8 and Momentums, I would be curious to hear your contrast of both designs. To my ears, I just found the Momentums to be more musical and enjoyable and they run cool as a cucumber to boot. This, again, is not meant to slight the Pass amps as they have a glorious midrange and served me well for many years.

If this is getting off topic for this thread, I apologize (sorry, still new to this board), I would be happy to take it offline or move to the proper thread with you (just let me know).
Click to expand...

Anthony - like you said, the Momentum's are more to my liking as well. More liquid, with bass speed, punch and dynamics. What surprises me the most is the midrange bloom. Like you, I am very happy with the D'Agostino amp/preamp and if I had to only live with one amp/preamp, the D'Agostino would be it.

Regarding the XA.8 series, what I heard at CES was VERY good. Nelson & Co. are geniuses and when I think about their history, they really haven't ever made a "bad" product per se. All their products serve a particular need, with great value at a respective fair price point.

That being said, if I was looking to add to my stable of amps, the XA60.8's would be it.
 
joeinid said:
Anthony,

Love your avatar. Who is she? :)
Click to expand...

laynesaddiction said:
Joe,

I normally just tell people that was me before my sex change, but that tends to scare them. She is a Chinese actress (English name Gong Li) who I have followed since I first saw her at a Chicago film festival in the early 90s. If I already wasn’t married to my soul mate (also imho a beautiful Chinese woman), I might take a shot at convincing her to marry me as she is now single. ;-)
Click to expand...

Hi Anthony and welcome! :) ...Do you have a larger picture of your avatar?
 
Mike said:
Anthony - like you said, the Momentum's are more to my liking as well. More liquid, with bass speed, punch and dynamics. What surprises me the most is the midrange bloom. Like you, I am very happy with the D'Agostino amp/preamp and if I had to only live with one amp/preamp, the D'Agostino would be it.

Regarding the XA.8 series, what I heard at CES was VERY good. Nelson & Co. are geniuses and when I think about their history, they really haven't ever made a "bad" product per se. All their products serve a particular need, with great value at a respective fair price point.

That being said, if I was looking to add to my stable of amps, the XA60.8's would be it.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the reply. I will try to hear both the XA.8 and the Xs whenever I can find a place to hear them. In my neck of the US woods, there is never an opportunity. I missed the Xs by a week when they were at a dealer in Chicago and at the last show I was at in Taipei, they were only a static display. I am hoping when I go back to Asia, the local Pass dealer will have both the Xs (they have now) and the XA.8 (most likely too early).

I have a lot of respect for Pass and his products, but when my wife and I heard the Momentums, we just had to switch. Unfortunately we could not front the cost of the Monos (better), but we are still extremely happy.
 
laynesaddiction said:
Thanks for the reply. I will try to hear both the XA.8 and the Xs whenever I can find a place to hear them. In my neck of the US woods, there is never an opportunity. I missed the Xs by a week when they were at a dealer in Chicago and at the last show I was at in Taipei, they were only a static display. I am hoping when I go back to Asia, the local Pass dealer will have both the Xs (they have now) and the XA.8 (most likely too early).

I have a lot of respect for Pass and his products, but when my wife and I heard the Momentums, we just had to switch. Unfortunately we could not front the cost of the Monos (better), but we are still extremely happy.
Click to expand...

Anthony - don't cut the stereo short. I had both in my system and the stereo was excellent. I could have been happy with either. I just have a "thing" for monos! ;)
 
Thx!

___

gl3.jpg
 
OK... Gong Li pics would likely enhance my enjoyment of my future Pass XA30.8 amp - how's that for tying it together?

Cool VFET story. I wonder how one would get the chance to hear them?
 
Sony has made an announcement to the effect that they will
tour with them this year. If I come across a schedule for such, I
will post it.
 
NorthStar said:
Nelson, how come we don't hear much about the Sony SS-AR1 loudspeakers?
Click to expand...

They did merit a full review by John Atkinson in Stereophile. I have had them on my floor
for almost a year, and I tweaked those amplifiers using them.

I suppose that there are some who will dismiss Sony out of hand, but I know that they are
very serious about fielding high end offerings.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top