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Best Tube Amp For Sonus Faber? Or Pass XA-100.5? $6-7,500 Budget, Purchasing Used.

As the title says, I have a pair of Sonus Faber Olympica III's that I am more than pleased with, for which I am trying to determine the best available amplifier, preferably tube. Of course, there are always budget limitations and my budget for this amp would be $6-7,500, and I would be buying used to maximize purchasing power.

Based on a lot of research, and quite a few auditions at brick and mortar stores, various home systems, Axpona, etc. I'm honestly not sure if there are any truly exceptional tube amplifiers available within that budget that meet my needs. These speakers need 100wpc tubed, or 200 wpc solid state, into 4 ohms to really open up and perform. 

If, in the end, there are no really great tubed options, I've always heard that the Pass Labs XA-100.5's were probably the optimal choice in solid state for former tube lovers. I would also appreciate any thoughts on that option from owners. 
nightfall

Showing 3 responses by joeinid

joeinid's avatar
joeinid
658 posts
 
Can I throw in a monkey wrench?

Have you or would you consider a PS Audio BHK 250 or a pair of BHK 300 monos? Tube hybrid amps that are wonderful and put out less heat than the Pass amps. I've owned them and if purchased properly, can be a great deal. 

The PS Audio BHK gear is Stereophile Class A rated and is truly amazing. I still have my BHK preamp and will eventually replace the amps.
joeinid's avatar
joeinid
658 posts
 
Absolutely wonderful. The MC275 is a great amp. One of the best. Quiet, sweet and powerful. Deep and wide sound stage.

I wonder what my mc275 would sound like with Sonus Faber

joeinid's avatar
joeinid
658 posts
 
I should perhaps have mentioned that a big part of originally wanting the 100.5's had to do with how impressed I was after hearing the 60.5's (not enough power for my speakers) and recalling John Atkinson's review a couple years back calling those the best amplifiers he had ever heard. As a followup, I was told that the 100.5's were essentially the 60.5's up-scaled, which doesn't seem to be the case?

All Pass amps seem to have a slightly different sonic signature. From what I understand, the XA160.5 is the next logical step up in power and flavor from the XA60.5. I've had many Pass amps, and while the highs and mids were wonderful on XA100.5, the bass seemed bloated to me. Some say it the most tube-like of the amps but, to me, not in a good way. The XA60.5 were amazing sounding amps (I love the XA60.8 and X350.8 as well). I love Pass, if you can handle the heat. My favorite right now is the X350.8. Several friends have them and I always look forward to going to see them and listen to their systems.  

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