2. amps-preamps
  3. 151926-8093

Are Pass Labs amps good at low volume levels?

I am considering the Pass X250.5/8. Nearly all amps I have tried aside from the Mark Levinson 532H sounds like something is missing at low volume levels. The Levinson manages to sound great and not feel like I'm missing anything other than the bass.

I am considering an upgrade from Levinson to Pass but am curious how it handles low volume listening as it seems many amps require a medium or high volume level to sound their best.

nemesis1218

Showing 2 responses by three_easy_payments

three_easy_payments's avatar
three_easy_payments
2,097 posts
 
@tomcy6 

He liked the Pass amps early on in his journey but once he listened to the Simaudio 860 and the Luxman M-900 and even higher priced amps, he changed his opinion on Pass, calling them midfi.

It's really not a fair comparison putting a ~$8K Pass 250.5/8 against an $18K Simaudio or $20K Luxman.  Yes, I'm sure the Pass is "mid-fi" in comparison.  I'd presume the OP doesn't have $20K to roll into the amp based on the products he said he was considering but you never know.
three_easy_payments's avatar
three_easy_payments
2,097 posts
 
If the goal is incredible sound at low volume my focus would be overweight on speakers.
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