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
david_ten
5,480 posts
 
What makes you place this on the amplification and not elsewhere? Thanks.
elevick
2,636 posts
 
your speakers are???
nemesis1218 OP
39 posts
 
Speakers are Gallo Strada. This is for a secondary small room system. I'm using a Benchmark DAC3 HGC with volume control directly into the amp. (top of the line dac with very low noise floor and Benchmark actually advises running it this way without a preamp)
adg101
1,062 posts
 
Should be fine. My X250 sounds very good at low volume. It’s all about the synergy of the equipment, clean power, equipment/rack isolation and room treatment more than just the amp I feel. If you achieve a system that is revealing it will sound very good a lower levels. It’s a combination of many things so not sure only certain amps will get you there but a Pass will deliver with some work no problem.
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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