So far the brands I am attracted to for further comparison are:
-Luxmann
-Valvet
-LTA
Did I miss anything good? |
Okay more interesting suggestions, thank you!
Re Forte-yes good sound but too old for me. Not wanting a rehab project
right now , thanks.
Valvet sounds like the LTA product in many ways. I will look for
someone here that owns one. So obscure I doubt my luck though.
Carlitos- You are the guy I have been waiting for!
So you compared the XA25 to the X 30.8 and preferred the
30.8. Now that is an interesting comparison that so far only
you have done. Thanks.
Deco- I have not heard the INT60 yet. Not sure I need to HP or extra
weight and heat.
Atmo- I read your comments about a tweeter's Unbearable Harshness of SS and hope you are somehow unaware of a cure. Cables? |
Thank you all for the ideas.
Yes I left out the 4 ohm situation.
Luxman is available here. Triad?
Will investigate, thank you all. |
Accuphase. Yes, what do you know 1st hand about this brand? |
Firstwatt does not double down at 4ohms as the Pass line does.
As my speakers are set in the 4 ohm setting, FirstWatt is out. |
Thanks for the ideas. I will check them all out.
Class A not required.
Only seeking musicality.
The 12 wpc Leben I am listening to now is
more than enough power for my use. |
Soix,
Possibly a route to better sound but I am in trial mode
now. Why don't you update it and then loan it to me? haha |
Some excellent thoughts here, thank you.
Atmasphere, if tubes were an option, would work.
I rule out defunct companies BEL, Clayton etc as risky investments.
Bakoon looks like a good company to follow in the future.
When makers or reviewers do not give the 4 and 2 ohm wpc,
the amp is likely none too stout.
Class A is compelling.
That said A/B has advantages.
Naim and Linn are cults in some countries.
What was wrong with Cary? Sonically nothing.
I heard the resolution from a $300 class A 7 wpc
kit amp and knew I wanted more. Willing to give up
the hum chasing, tube testing, blast furnace of the
tube world for now.
I tend to agree with Mr. Savato. Once you go Pass,
you never go back.
I had thought that there must be another S.S. amp maker
who would copy the Pass house sound but apparently
"Nobody Does it Better".
Still I am overturning rocks in pursuit of the thrown bone. |
Cooney,
I had Golden Lion KT88s.
The Leben 300 I just demoed was a step up from the Cary.
I am most likely going with the Pass Int25. No tubes anywhere.
The whole point I am making is the Pass House Sound
is better than ANYTHING I have tried to date.
And by a significant margin.
I am open to being persuaded but please before suggesting anything, please have heard the Pass 25 Amp or Int.
and then tell me what you liked better. Thanks |
Deco,
The Class A wait is downside. Advantage smaller amp.
Leave it on unless you will be gone an extended time.
I have been advised the 6SN7 preamp tube is the way to go
if you buy any Amp. Love that Supratek line.
I am not opposed to a tube preamp.
I had a tube preamp- the Audible Illusions L3B.
Sold it as no preamp sounded better than a preamp
but that is another kettle o'fish.
Nelson advised me once that
"If you have to have a tube then consider"....
I imagine his counterpart Wayne is making that call.
Your direction is very helpful, thank you. My speakers
allow for treble presence and treble energy adjustments
so I think I may dodge the fatigue factor. But maybe not.
The thing missing with the Cary is the resolution I hear
with the small Class A monos I have now.
What brand/model of tube amps do you think might be
a match? Not the Cary 120 apparently. High power not
a true need for me. Low power seems to be the more
musical of the two. Odd that NP's cheapest lowest
powered amp is the most musical in his line.
Perhaps he is working on a 12.5 wpc version now.
I have heard the Line Magnetic line and liked them.
Not in the VAC price range but they seem great.
Your suggestions? Thank you.
|
cakyol,
In March I had the Pass XA25 in my system for 2 weeks running
continuously. It never become too warm to keep a hand on.
My tube amp put off 10 times the heat it seems.
I live in Phoenix Arizona. We know something about heat.
Pass has said they seldom see a repair issue on their gear.
Further they say that their caps are still good after 20 years.
That is a pretty solid reason to own a Pass.
They are in a state next door to AZ. Another plus.
Finally the XA25 has been marketed for 4 years now. Pass's biggest selling item. Check the Shark resale market right now. Hello New Zealand!! Price has not been raised since the inception $4,900.
As Stan used to say 'Nuff Said' |
Deco,
Yes that is accurate and much better than my avatar, thank you.
They have a bi-wire option on the back.
No choices for different ohms there.
On the front face there is an option to operate the system
as a 2 1/2 way i/o the standard 3 way option.
If you run it as a 2 1/2 way, the impedance changes from 8 ohm to 4 ohm.
I do prefer to listen in the 4 ohm setting. The difference is the upper dual concentric speaker will roll off at the bottom of the mid range when in the Open-4 ohm-setting. When in the Closed -8 ohm-position the same upper mid-range speaker will go all the way down to the 40hz rated bottom. Unless I have this backwards which has been known to happen.
Another feature these speakers have-Three settings each
for the following items: Presence, Roll off, and Energy.
Gotta love the Brits! Level, -3db or -3db. I use the Level Setting.
I purchased these about 18 months ago.
I had the caps tested and replaced. One had blown.
Interior wiring upgrade. Plugged a too large compartment
connecting hole. Replaced metal tabs post connectors with stranded
copper wire.
I have had the pleasure of speaking with Kent English at Pass.
Kent has a few larger speakers on dollies. He said that in the Pass
line he felt the XA25 was the best match for my speakers. Over the 250.8 to be precise. It seems Mr. Pass has worked for magic on this product.
Since this purchase is significant to me I want to do my homework.
Thank you for your help with this.
|
Lowtubes,
I must admit this thread has done more to my considerations than
I had expected. Particularly as to whether I will find the SS route a
mistake. Threshold is Pass's first company's Class A Amp. Is this not
"edgy" as the XA25?
I like the extra dynamics and bass of the SS Pass but it does burn
a little bit on the top end over time. I adjusted my Tannoy treble settings
downward to help this. |
Joel,
Thanks for the contact info.
I could not find a website for Clayton when I checked.
I had hoped to hear about some good options and certainly
have. Thank you to all for contributing to this thread.
I know nothing of the Omtec brand but it sounds interesting.
Can you pm me some info?
|
Audioguy,
I did try the Masterclass IA4 by Sugden last week.
It was fine but not anything exciting to listen to.
Odd as I had higher expectations for it. |
Lowt,
So if I keep my mid-line interconnects, cables and power lines
I will likely be okay with SS then.
Who do you consider to have an opinion of real value?
I want gear that is:
1. Under 5 years of age. Preferably 0-2 years.
2. No defunct companies. No time to chase parts.
3. Products that have had universally good reviews
4. Products I can try out in my home before owning.
5. Most importantly-that they have a highly involving sound.
6. Then there is that darn budget thing-$5k max.
Thanks
|
That is a sweet look!
When was the last one manufactured?
|
I have been counselled to avoid the Krell brand due to breakdown
issues. I am intolerant of anything needing regular repairs.
Life's is too short.
That said several people have suggested Krell in this thread.
So it must have good SQ. But the repair question is offputting. |
Thanks again for all the ideas. That LTA is one I am quite curious about.
I need to determine whether my speakers can be satisfied with only
a 25 watt Pass or if more power is truly needed. |
Rice,
Thank you so much for introducing me to the 10Audio website.
I had never heard of it. I read his Valvet Int. review and now I
want to audition this product. Along the lines of LTA perhaps?
Do you own one? If so please tell me about it. |
So you went SS and preferred the Luxman over the Pass? |
Atm,
Yes a typo, my bad.
So Zero feedback-Ayre, First Watt will help dodge the dreaded
ear burn.
What about the XA25 ?
|
ATMA,
All the Pass line has some small amount of Feedback.
The First Watt line also has feedback with the exception
being the SIT series.
I would like to chat with you more on this subject.
How is that accomplished?
|
Was Listed on USAudioMart. Recorded sales price is actually the list price. |
I just realized I had my my speaker's treble settings were maxed to high side when I used the Cary. When I auditioned the Pass XA25 I did not change them. I think this is why the ear burn was felt.
I think after reading the many well made suggestions -for which I thank each participant's contribution- I will most likely buy the XA25.
Then I will buy the Supratek Chardonnay as a preamp.
Not only do I like the 6SN7 tube, I also like the name Chardonnay.
Further I love the appearance of this piece of art. It is likely
a true fool's errand to buy something made on a continent I will likely never visit, but it seems the most musical piece $2,000 will buy.
Anyone visiting Phoenix from June on that would care to hear
my system, please get in touch.
Best,
Jeff
|
Pulled the trigger on a 12 month old Pass Labs XA25 at $3k
today. |
Brad-What is your preamp? Speaker? |
ricevs,
You have outlined my buying model. Try b4 u buy. Which is why
I have tried so many. Lejonklou, Leben, Sugden, Kongku, Electrik, Cary
and Pass.
There is local party with a Valvet E2 SE for sale. No home trial available.
I am not a Benchmark fan. They measure well but the sound is too dry for me. Engineers love them naturally.
I am off LTA as some comments I read make them sound not as good
as other choices but I may never know. If there is ever another Audio
show LTA will be a lengthy visit.
Now the Valvet does intrigue me I have to admit...
I see it as likely another product much like the Lejonklou.
Amazing resolution. I like the "tubey" Pass sound. His house
sound works magic for me. He is good with his crayons I guess.
I let my ears do the deciding. Hence the Pass XA25 is the winner
so far. I have paid RT freight and restocking fees when needed but
I am not of unlimited means. Sorry if I gave that impression. I can not finance more than one product at a time.
I seek confirmation by inviting two friends over who have more experienced and discerning ears than I have.
If I do not have my position confirmed by them I will likely not
move ahead.
If this sounds a bit contradictory to my earlier statement, well you
may be right. But anyone who does not want his opinions supported
by those with higher skill sets is a fool, right?
|
Photomax- Congrats! What is your system? |
ag3- Steve Guttenberg reviewed the Cheviots a few months back.
He used both his SIT3 and the XA25. The XA25 was the clear winner
he said. I think these Tannoys benefit from the extra power.
From what I hear the LTA is not as good. One Valvet E2SE owner
said he liked his Valvet over the XA25 but was trading up to the Mono blocks. I prefer a nearby factory and US build. Reselling unknown
brands often times means a haircut.
Bakoon is one I look for if another show ever happens.
I did try a Swedish no name integrated-Lejonklou. Now that
could be a 2nd amp someday for me. 40wpc Class a/b. So black
and pure and uncolored. Maybe more so than I prefer. |
Your system looks like a winner to me.
I have liked the D7 a lot but never managed
to find a D9 to listen to. I know Ken, manager at
Brooks Berdan, had a pair in his home.
Enjoy the XA 30.8! |
Congrats. Send me a short video playing music if possible. Do you have a way to get my email or Tel#?
|
