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A review Bound for Sound for Pass Labs fans

I take all reviews with a "grain of salt" perspective. After all, their just someone's hopefully honest and somewhat informed opinion regarding the sonics of that piece in their system. However, I cut Martin G. DeWulf, publisher/reviewer of Bound for Sound, a little more slack then most for at least two reasons. 1) He has no ads so he does not have to "suck up" to any manufacturers for $. 2) He often prints negative reviews, if that's what he hears.

In the most recent Bound for Sound, DeWulf reviews the Pass LabsX-350.5, the first "professional" review that I'm aware of, regarding any of the .5 amps.

He states the following:

1) He thought that in the past that the X-250 was a great piece, but did not care for the performance of the X-350. DeWulf gives great credit to Pass Labs for not getting defensive regarding his past review that was negative towards the X-350 and being more then happy/fearless in sending him the new X-350.5. for review, he believes many other companies would not, if they recieve a negative review from him in the past.

2) He states that even with all the "Buzz" regarding the new digital amps, class D amps, class LMNOP amps, when people come over to hear his system, they all first get caught up in the "eye-candy" regarding the X-350.5, and then respond with, "That thing sounds awesome!"

3) He goes into great details regarding the build quality and new design changes that filtered down from the XA amps into the new .5 series.

4) DeWulf has auditioned many highly regarded Solid State amps such Ayre, Edge, Parasound, PBN Sierra Olympus and does a fine job of comparing the 350.5's sonics to these other reference single chassis or mono-blocks.

5)His final verdict regarding the 350.5's place in the hierarchy of world class solid state amps, "This is the finest solid state power amplifier that I've had in the Big Rig to date-long live the new king.

Well, I'm a big fan of Nelson Pass and the other guys at Pass Labs, I had the 350.5 as my reference (did a review of it here on the GON) only to be replaced by XA-100's, and am glad that this amp finally got the credit it deserves in a well done and through review.
teajay

Showing 2 responses by muralman1

muralman1
1,527 posts
 
Teajay, he must have been thinking of me amongst others. I could say my Pass amps just couldn't hack 1ohm, except that I ran them on 4 ohms, as well.

I haven't tried the .5 amps, although the X600 amps were always running on class A. They didn't need to be bias adjusted. The Pass guys are great. They are just up the hill from me. In cozier times, I dropped in on their headquarters. I would love to have them hear my amps, oh, and preamps.
muralman1
1,527 posts
 
Ozzy, check out my system. I ran the X-150 on 4 ohm speakers. When I got larger, less efficient 4 ohm speakers, the X-150 had no problem with those. The X-150 was running AB all the time.

In anticipation of getting my present speakers I upgraded to the X-600 amps, jumping over the 250 and 350. The 600 runs class A to 150 watts. The meter shows when it crosses into AB. It was warmer, and fuller than the X-150. Most of us liked the 600 better, but at least one favored the 150 on the 4 ohm speaker.

Then came the infamous amp eater. The powerful 600 stepped gracefully to the plate. I had no reason not to believe I was hearing the best.

On a report from another 1ohm speaker owner, I tried an ICE amp. The specs show the 600 a clear winner. S/N was 150 compared to 115. Power was 600 watts compared to 250 watts. Well, specs don't tell the whole truth.

With 93% efficiency, the ICE amp was actually in better control of 1 ohm. the ICE amp was far clearer too.

I sold that amp to a very happy deep pockets guy, whose awesome system is featured at Audiogon. Look for the third floor view.

Now, well just read my system review. There just is no looking back.
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