Pass XA25

A few more thoughts as I continue to listen...

Very transparent. Vocals have an amazing life like clarity and focus, coupled with the quiet background.

The amp is never “shouty” or aggressive. It’s very subdued and sweet.

If it smooths out a little on top with break in, this could be a superb SS amp for Avantgarde fans.

It runs hot.
Interesting, since I struggled so hard to get my FW J2 to play nice with my Uno's. Of course I didn't have a tubed pre, but the XP30 shouldn't have been the weak link in that chain...
 
Back to the store where it can run for a while?

Yes. Tomorrow I’ll hook it back to the Luxman and let ‘er run.

But I will bring it back for another listen at home after 300 hours or so.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Reichert’s review said the synergy between the X25 and Quad ESL’s was incredible. Would the FWJ2 drive the Quad’s similarly?
 
Reichert’s review said the synergy between the X25 and Quad ESL’s was incredible. Would the FWJ2 drive the Quad’s similarly?
The weird thing about the J2 is that power drops to 13w when impedance goes to 4. The Quads are 8 ohms nominal but range from 4-15. Do you have Quads? Would you like to try my J2?
Parker
 
The weird thing about the J2 is that power drops to 13w when impedance goes to 4. The Quads are 8 ohms nominal but range from 4-15. Do you have Quads? Would you like to try my J2?
Parker
I have Quad 57’s. Kind of you to offer to lend your J2,but I have this amp also. I just haven’t had the gumption to move it from my Linkwitz Orion setup to the room where the Quads are located.
 
I have Quad 57’s. Kind of you to offer to lend your J2,but I have this amp also. I just haven’t had the gumption to move it from my Linkwitz Orion setup to the room where the Quads are located.
Mine's been holding up dust for several months now. Maybe I ought to look into Quads...
 
Mine's been holding up dust for several months now. Maybe I ought to look into Quads...
I don’t want to hijack the thread but the Quads are the most enjoyable speaker I’ve had. I started a thread here several months back singing their praise
 
A few more thoughts as I continue to listen...

Very transparent. Vocals have an amazing life like clarity and focus, coupled with the quiet background.

The amp is never “shouty” or aggressive. It’s very subdued and sweet.

If it smooths out a little on top with break in, this could be a superb SS amp for Avantgarde fans.

It runs hot.

Mike it would be an interesting comparison with the XA 30.8
As if you need to lug more heavy gear upstairs!
 
Mike it would be an interesting comparison with the XA 30.8
As if you need to lug more heavy gear upstairs!

I’ve tried the XA30.8 and 30.5 on my AG’s, to be honest, the XA25 is a much better sounding amp, so sweet and “tube like” and grain free. If you can live without the extra power (which I know you can), it’s clearly a winner for me. As I said to Joe last night “it’s the least solid state sounding solid state amp I’ve heard on my AG’s”. Downside is RCA inputs only.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
I’ve tried the XA30.8 and 30.5 on my AG’s, to be honest, the XA25 is a much better sounding amp, so sweet and “tube like” and grain free. If you can live without the extra power (which I know you can), it’s clearly a winner for me. As I said to Joe last night “it’s the least solid state sounding solid state amp I’ve heard on my AG’s”. Downside is RCA inputs only.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I took this amp, out of contention...because of SEs only. I find, my new DsJ needs to really be pushed (as pre-amp)...to get good DBs; so I'd hate to give up, another 6...going from Balanced ICs to SEs.

But...the reviews and hype I'm hearing, is staggering. "Better" than a 30.8; "better", than a pair of 60s!? :skeptical:
 
I'm breaking in an XA25 for my brother. He's picking it up this weekend. I absolutely love it. More than enough power for me. First few days it was a little ragged and aggressive, but now after about a week, it's a beautiful sounding amp.
 
I was thinking of X250.8 or INT-250 until I saw this XA25. Does XA25 have enough power for Revel Studio 2? I have a small room and I don't listen too loud.
 
Hi Jim,

I had no issues running the XA25 with my studio2 when I had them. It’s an awesome combo that I absolutely loved. As long as you are not playing big orchestral music or head banging rock, you should be fine.

Please remember that the amp takes a fairly long time for full break in. It sounds great once warmed up but after several hundred hours or more, it’s incredible.

Power on hand could be close to 50+ watts. I never ran out of steam when I was listening.
 
I was thinking of X250.8 or INT-250 until I saw this XA25. Does XA25 have enough power for Revel Studio 2? I have a small room and I don't listen too loud.

Welcome and I would say no.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Welcome and I would say no.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Studio2 are much easier to drive than Salon2.

I could easily go back to that combo with nice tube preamp, IMO.
 
Back
Top