Pass XA.5 vs XA.8

Hi all.

I'm interested in those .8 baby's. Can anybody advice me to choose the best one for my speakers.
It's a DIY speakers closed building box.


Based on

ACCUTON C173-6-090
ACCUTON C30-6-023 (C23-6)
Seas L26RFX/P (2 pcs x box)
Cable: Kimber 8TC

Duelund CAST and Vsf , and Mundorfs SGO.
Efficiency is about 88dB

Will a Pass Labs XA 60.8 rive my speakers, or do I have to make a new mortgage on real estate and buy a 100.8 ?

What you think?
 
slowikpl said:
Hi all.

I'm interested in those .8 baby's. Can anybody advice me to choose the best one for my speakers.
It's a DIY speakers closed building box.


Based on

ACCUTON C173-6-090
ACCUTON C30-6-023 (C23-6)
Seas L26RFX/P (2 pcs x box)
Cable: Kimber 8TC

Duelund CAST and Vsf , and Mundorfs SGO.
Efficiency is about 88dB

Will a Pass Labs XA 60.8 rive my speakers, or do I have to make a new mortgage on real estate and buy a 100.8 ?

What you think?
Click to expand...

Welcome to A.S.! I owned the XA-100.8 monos before I traded for my Soulution 501 monos. I would go for the XA-60.8 over the XA-100.8 for these reasons:

1) Much lower cost.
2) Much less heat.
3) Much less power consumption (lower electric bill)
4) Less bass which makes them compatible with more speakers (At times the XA-100.8 had more bass than I wanted)
5) The XA-60.8 delivers ample current to drive most speakers (They are more powerful than you think)

Best,
Ken
 
Slowikpl,

Do you have any idea on how sensitive your speakers are? I think Ken is absolutely right about the 60.8 vs 100.8. I have 60.5's and love them but am curious about the 60.8. I already have more than enough power but am curious about the sound quality.
 
joeinid said:
Slowikpl,

Do you have any idea on how sensitive your speakers are? I think Ken is absolutely right about the 60.8 vs 100.8. I have 60.5's and love them but am curious about the 60.8. I already have more than enough power but am curious about the sound quality.
Click to expand...

Joe,

I think he wrote 88 dB efficiency.

Ken
 
Hi Joe,

Are you thinking of trying out the XA-60.8? I found the XA-100.8 to be more transparent, to have more holographic imaging and to reach peak performance faster than the XA-100.5. But I did find the XA-100.5 to have more tube-like magic once it was fully warmed up (about 4 hours). I was able to do a direct A/B comparison before I traded in the XA-100.5. Different sounds, one more accurate and the other more dreamy.

Best,
Ken
 
Hi Ken,

I can't deny wanting to try the 60.8's. I had the 100.5 a while back. I liked them but the bass was a little too puffy for my taste, even on the TAD CR-1s when I had them. I don't need to change a thing really, my 60.5's on my Strads is perfectly suited to my taste. They are not obscenely hot either. The Lampi directly into 60.5 is simply wonderful. Maybe I should just stop here!
 
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Alpinist said:
Hi Joe,

Are you thinking of trying out the XA-60.8? I found the XA-100.8 to be more transparent, to have more holographic imaging and to reach peak performance faster than the XA-100.5. But I did find the XA-100.5 to have more tube-like magic once it was fully warmed up (about 4 hours). I was able to do a direct A/B comparison before I traded in the XA-100.5. Different sounds, one more accurate and the other more dreamy.

Best,
Ken
Click to expand...

Good description of the differences, Ken.
 
joeinid said:
Hi Ken,

I can't deny wanting to try the 60.8's. I had the 100.5 a while back. I liked them but the bass was a little too puffy for my taste, even on the TAD CR-1s when I had them. I don't need to change a thing really, my 60.5's on my Strads is perfectly suited to my taste. They are not obscenely hot either. The Lampi directly into 60.5 is simply wonderful. Maybe I should just stop here!
Click to expand...

Joe,

You have tremendous gear from top to bottom and from side to side. Certainly no need to change anything. Once you get the BADA, you'll have the digital sources covered too. :)

It took awhile to for me to get there but I'm really happy now with my K-01 player, 520 preamp, 501 amps and D3 speakers. The one thing that I really want to add next year is the ability to play native DSD files. This basically leaves me two options, upgrade to the K-01X or stick with my K-01 and get a Lampi B7 or GG. I'm hoping to hear the B7 and GG at the NY Audio Show this year. This should help to make my decision a lot easier. Based on the feedback I'm reading about the DSD capabilities of the B7 and GG, I'm certainly leaning in this direction.

Best,
Ken
 
Hi guys. I have my new Pass Labs XA 60.8 The amps are very heavy ! They have to burn in. I have question about the meter in the blue eye.
The pointer on one amp is 1-2 right off 12 o'clock and second amp exactly 12 o'clock. Does this mean anything?
 
Hi,

Congratulations!

Don't be too concerned about the meters. You could try cleaning the glass in front with a good glass cleaner and antistatic solution. My XA60.5 meters are not always exactly the same. Just make sure you break them in properly. On for week continously, then on for 12 hours and off, completely unplugged for 12 hours for another week. Then you are good to go.
 
slowikpl said:
The pointer on one amp is 1-2 right off 12 o'clock and second amp exactly 12 o'clock. Does this mean anything?
Click to expand...

First of all, congrats on a terrific pair of amplifiers!

Second, regarding your question, are they on the same circuit? Same outlet?
 
slowikpl said:
The pointer on one amp is 1-2 right off 12 o'clock and second amp exactly 12 o'clock. Does this mean anything?
Click to expand...

If you want to adjust the meters so they zero out at 12 o'clock, you can. On the back of the amps there are two holes near the top about 1/8 in diameter, marked M & L. M adjusts the wand position and L control the brightness of the meter LEDs.

You will need a small flat blade screwdriver to adjust the trim pot behind the hole.
 
Thanks for the guide for break in.
Now after 2 hrs of usage the difference is about 1mm to right on one amp. They are both slightly right of 12 o'clock. One is about right end marking and another is 1mm off center. They are on the same Same circuit and on different outlets. 100% in phase.
And they already now sound beautiful !!!!

Thanks Mike for the tip. I will do so if the amps are broken in.
 
Enjoy them, my XA60.5's are wonderful, I can only imagine how awesome the new .8 series sounds.
 
slowikpl said:
Hi guys. I have my new Pass Labs XA 60.8 The amps are very heavy ! They have to burn in. I have question about the meter in the blue eye.
The pointer on one amp is 1-2 right off 12 o'clock and second amp exactly 12 o'clock. Does this mean anything?
Click to expand...

Congrats on your new XA-60.8's! They are terrific amps. Please give us a full report once they're broken in.

Ken
 
Hello slowikpl,
Pass make you sure a happy guy! for my taste Pass is the best ampli (in your orice liga). I have the Xa100.8 and I'm very happy too.

Class A is sound sooo good! I love it.
I have listen the GrandiNote ampli and pre: Demone ampli (monos 60Watt and Domino premapli)-> are in class A and they soundet amazing! The Pass with my surprise is not at the same level!!! Grandinote have a soundstage and harmony awesome!!!


sorry what for pre you have?


OT: Ken-> kep the K01 and go with another "source" for the highRez (DSD,....) music! Lampi Dac (or others)
 
My Pre is an Old Aleph P last edition. If I had money or compared to the new Pre`s from Pass I cult maybe reconsider to buy new one. Untill then I will be using my old mate.

I`m experiencing that the pointer moves 1mm if the loudness on my speakers is almost to the max. I think my speakers needs more watts than I think. But also I hope this will not degrade my experience on my LP. If happens onley on very loud listening that I usely do not do.
 
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