2. amps-preamps
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Disappointment with Pass Labs - I'm looking for something else

Hello, I am new to this forum and my mother tongue is not English, so please forgive me if I make mistakes as I use a translator.

I recently bought an XA30.8 and an XP12. I was very happy but as time went by I began to not feel comfortable with the sound.
After doing many tests, I find that the XA30.8 sounds very very sweet but actually too much. I find it to be a loosely defined amp, somewhat muddy and lacks a lot of air and grip. The soundstage is very closed.

The XP-12 is the worst of the two. It is a previous that removes a lot of resolution and information, without transient attacks and sunken mid frequencies. Instead it brings warmth.

Has anyone of you found the same?

If you ask me, I have a Klipsch Cornwall and a dCS BArtok.

Now I want a capable amp, forceful, something warm, decisive, airy and with a great soundstage.

At first I thought of changing my XA30.8 for X250.8, and changing the XP-12 for a second-hand Audio Research Ref5. I am afraid of this change and continue with Pass, since I can go back to the same thing a bit.

On the other hand I have thought of going for a Luxman 900 combo, since it has very good reviews and from what I have read it could be the winning ticket.
opm

Showing 2 responses by arcticdeth

arcticdeth's avatar
arcticdeth
1,549 posts
 
Klipsch is the problem.
the searing, molar pain inducing highs of your speakers is your issue.


Get a warmer speaker, problem solved.

You need new speakers.

 Are cornwalls great, sure,for those who like the Klipsch sound.

  Audition speakers BEFORE you discard the Pass amp & preamp. 
 You would be better with a soft dome tweeter. search , search, read, audition a lot of speakers.

  Your gear is amazing, and you belittling the preamp seems premature,  audition speakers if you can.

    
arcticdeth's avatar
arcticdeth
1,549 posts
 
Don’t worry about price!

 3000$ speakers, 400$ amp

 550$ speakers, 7500$ amp.

 Don’t matter. Enjoy.

 My amps were 10K new, driving a 3K speaker pair. (Paid 400$ pair new)
Basement system is 4500$ amps w a 125$ pair used speakers. 

Computer system is 200$ Yammy  receiver w early 90’s BIC Ventura’s hooked to technics sl1200 mkII W ortofon Arkiv Concorde to record LPs’ to computer to record to CD.

 BUT,.......a nice 250W - 300W amp is a must.

under 250 W you will clip if you like volume, plus you will lose the ease and transition from soft passages to a sudden peak of ....ROCK, or orchestral, classical, whatever you listen to. 
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