2. amps-preamps
  3. 164376-156954

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 1 response by rh67

rh67
307 posts
 
First, Pass labs amps take at least 200hrs. to sound their best. How many hours do you have listening to music? Have you set a counting timer to keep track? A friend once told me that he listened to music about a 100hrs. a month i loaned him my timer to see exactly how long he did listen to music each month and it was not 100hrs. but 60hrs. so as Pass amp would take him three and a half months to get sounding it`s best.

Don`t throw in the towel too fast with the Pass equipment i have heard the 30.8 sounding great with none of the issues you describe, personally i own the XA25 which to me is the best of tubes and SS.

I`m not a fan of your speakers which i once owned for several years for me they left a lot to be desired. A nice pair of Watt Puppy`s 5.1 and up or Devore Nines sound magical with Pass and can be found in the price range that you sell your Cornwalls for.
More to discover