On my Lordy, Nelson: X250.8 in situ

Kuoppis

Kuoppis

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So, today my audio guy came by and brought the Pass X250.8 along, how nice of him. At the same time, gone is the VX-5 Twenty. Reason for the change is rather simple: when I had the INT-60 in my system for a while I fell in love with the airy Pass top-end. In a direct comparison the Ayre sounded a bit grainy on the top.

What does the Pass X250.8 do for my system?
- significantly more hefty bottom end
- great grip on the speakers
- additional 150 wpc on tap provides great dynamics and speed
- nice airy top end, great resolution
- superb fit with vinyl play

In a summary, it is evident this amp hasn’t just been designed by an engineer measuring things and drawing conclusions from that. It has been made by a music lover. It shines through that in comparison to AVM, T+A, Solution etc. measurements are just one part of the equation and final voicing is made by listening to the music.

Anyone who is in direct reach of Master Pass, please be so kind to convey my gratitude for his decades long study of circuits and the resulting music marvel. Simply outstanding.

Fit with vinyl play? Oh my goodness, it’s perfect. I’m in audiophile heaven.



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So, how does it look? The old blue eye is back.

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I think at 250/ 500 wpc and a lump of 100 pounds of metal I can call this one a big ass amp.


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The Sandman said:
Brand new or already broken in?
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Luckily that latter, so I can enjoy it right away. It is a 6-month old demo unit, that’s why I got such a sweet deal.

Waiting 500 hrs. for it to break in would be a total disaster. With the time I have available to listen that would equal to a minimum of 3-4 months.

So, someone else takes the time to break it in for me. And as a compensation for the service, I pay 30% less. Yeah, why not [emoji3].


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Kuoppis said:
Luckily that latter, so I can enjoy it right away. It is a 6-month old demo unit, that’s why I got such a sweet deal.

Waiting 500 hrs. for it to break in would be a total disaster. With the time I have available to listen that would equal to a minimum of 3-4 months.

So, someone else takes the time to break it in for me. And as a compensation for the service, I pay 30% less. Yeah, why not [emoji3].
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Oh, no harm at all in buying pre-owned Pass Labs equipment - they're built like tanks and their customer service is outstanding. Of the 4 pairs of Pass amps I've owned (XA160.5's, XA160.8's, XS150's, and XS300's), 3 pairs were purchased pre-owned. Of course, two pairs were from Mike, who probably didn't even push them. ;)

I was asking in regards to sonics. Glad to hear it's broken in already, but still expect to hear an improvement as it settles in over the next few days.
 
I wrote earlier, that based on some reviewer comments, the needle will most likely never move at my listening levels.

Tested it earlier today and the needle does move. As the Magicos do like current at 1/3 of the preamp volume attenuator level the movement will start and at 50% the needle becomes quite active.

So, while the needle will move above my usual listening levels, realistically seen I will be listening to Class A most of the time. That said, the power reserves are very important for speed, attack and dynamics.


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The Sandman said:
Oh, no harm at all in buying pre-owned Pass Labs equipment - they're built like tanks and their customer service is outstanding. Of the 4 pairs of Pass amps I've owned (XA160.5's, XA160.8's, XS150's, and XS300's), 3 pairs were purchased pre-owned. Of course, two pairs were from Mike, who probably didn't even push them. ;)

I was asking in regards to sonics. Glad to hear it's broken in already, but still expect to hear an improvement as it settles in over the next few days.
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I think you are spot on.


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Kuoppis said:
I wrote earlier, that based on some reviewer comments, the needle will most likely never move at my listening levels.

Tested it earlier today and the needle does move. As the Magicos do like current at 1/3 of the preamp volume attenuator level the movement will start and at 50% the needle becomes quite active.

So, while the needle will move at the top of my listening levels, realistically seen I will be listening to Class A most of the time. That said, the power reserves are very important for speed, attack and dynamics.
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For anyone interested, here's Nelson Pass on Leaving Class A.
 
Congratulations! I love Pass Labs and have heard the X350.8 extensively. I was thinking X250.8 for myself. Plenty of power and supposedly a sweeter presentation. Enjoy and let us know how you settle in with it. Your system looks beautiful.
 
joeinid said:
Congratulations! I love Pass Labs and have heard the X350.8 extensively. I was thinking X250.8 for myself. Plenty of power and supposedly a sweeter presentation. Enjoy and let us know how you settle in with it. Your system looks beautiful.
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Thanks Joe, appreciate it. I think I can say without risking being too bold it is a great amp.

Another option would have been the Ayre MX-R/20s, which you have been pointing out better the VX-5/20 I had by a not small margin. I also looked into that and might even try them at some point, but as I have had Ayre for a while trying something else is also nice. And as I got a sweet deal on trying out a powerful enough Pass in my main system I thought why not. I think from a certain level upwards there are just different flavors of good.

As you say, the X250.8 has an ever so slightly sweeter presentation compared to the next bigger model and the power reserves are more than enough for my system. Love the monstrosity though [emoji48].
 
The X250.8 is an absolute home run. You made the right choice.
 
KeithR said:
Sounds like the S3mk2s like the extra juice - well done!
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Thanks Keith, that is absolutely correct.

While watts do not equal watts in my experience, meaning different manufacturers and technical concepts are able to leverage their power reserves with varying efficiency, I think my Magicos do indeed enjoy the spare 150 wpc on tap. There is just an ease and immediacy to the music which is very nice. In a way a feeling of limitless power and the amp is also really fast, which I like.

While I think especially the latest generation of Magicos have become easier to drive, and you do not anymore require an arc welder to run them, power still does not hurt. I would argue though, that this is true of any high-end LS. You can run them with lesser power, but more is nicer.

There was a very nice thread on the Sharks forum recently discussing power requirements to serve peaks and transients. From the measurements it became evident that even if you are listening at moderate levels as I usually am, using 15-30 wpc on a continuous basis, there are dynamic peaks going up to 500 wpc. This is what I hear with the Pass now, it does not run out of steam and offers seemingly unlimited power reserves. As a result music is played with a nice ease and flow.


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slowgeezr said:
Congrats! I love my Pass Labs amps, too! I have no desire to move to anything else.
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I can very much relate to what you’re saying. Appears that we’re on the same page with a few things, I also greatly enjoy the music choices you’re posting.

Master Nelson definitely has the mojo.


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GSOphile said:
Great choice, Kuoppis. I like your taste in speakers and partnering amps.
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Thank you, that’s a very kind thing to say.

It is interesting though: I think it is important to keep an open mind. So I went to try out a number of great amps intriguing me. Some were good, others were great. I even got a very compelling offer on the double as expensive T+A A3000 HV + PS3000 HV combo. But when I sat down to audition the Pass amps, I knew I was home.

There are a few things for me that are table stakes: One thing is that I do not want to sit there wondering whether bass is playing or not. I do need a solid low end. Another thing is I do not want to have to wait for the amp to join the party, while the music has already passed.


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One other thing that I haven't seen talked about is Pass/Ayre synergy. It's as good as it gets IME.
 
kzhtoo said:
One other thing that I haven't seen talked about is Pass/Ayre synergy. It's as good as it gets IME.
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Agreed, they go together quite well.

I like the discrete volume control in the Ayre pre amps. I would guess it’s the best in the market. In terms of pre amps overall there are choices, but the way the volume control is implemented is great.


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