@cal3713 is right on. I think system building starts with the speaker choice and the room you're putting them in. That determines so much of the sound signature you are going to live with, for the most part. And then you need to find a great amp to mate with those speakers.
I owned the Pass XA30.8, too, and I came to precisely the same conclusion that you did. Too over-warm and a bit vague sounding, just like a blanket was thrown over the music, IME. It, of course, didn't sing with my primary speakers, TAD CR-1's (not a happy pairing at all, and under-powered), but I also didn't like my very high efficiency Teresonic Ingenium Silvers (the reason I tried the Pass), for the reasons you find. And I would note that both of these speaker options come from my "up front / bit brighter" camp, which would normally be a better match for a warmer amp. The Pass just doesn't fill the bill.
I now have a Luxman M900u, and it has the attributes you say you are seeking - - a lot of definition, wondrous soundstaging, while still retaining a smidge of warmth. And they do have plenty of drive, their Japanese pedigree aside (where did that blanket statement above come from?!). However, I honestly can't see it with the Klipsch. But since you're going to throw everything up in the air with a speaker change, I've offered my amp comparison, FYI.
I owned the Pass XA30.8, too, and I came to precisely the same conclusion that you did. Too over-warm and a bit vague sounding, just like a blanket was thrown over the music, IME. It, of course, didn't sing with my primary speakers, TAD CR-1's (not a happy pairing at all, and under-powered), but I also didn't like my very high efficiency Teresonic Ingenium Silvers (the reason I tried the Pass), for the reasons you find. And I would note that both of these speaker options come from my "up front / bit brighter" camp, which would normally be a better match for a warmer amp. The Pass just doesn't fill the bill.
I now have a Luxman M900u, and it has the attributes you say you are seeking - - a lot of definition, wondrous soundstaging, while still retaining a smidge of warmth. And they do have plenty of drive, their Japanese pedigree aside (where did that blanket statement above come from?!). However, I honestly can't see it with the Klipsch. But since you're going to throw everything up in the air with a speaker change, I've offered my amp comparison, FYI.
