2. amps-preamps
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Fist Watt F6 vs Pass Labs XA 25

I’m thinking about an upgrade regarding my power amp which is a First Watt F6 dual mono (source: LAB 12 Dac 1 Reference, "speakers": Abyss 1266 PHI TC, preamp: Dave Slagle Autoformer).

I can’t say I wouldn’t be satisfied with this configuration but I’d like to try something even more engaging.

For the moment I’m intrigued by the XA 25 but never had the chance to give it a try in my system. 

Most of the reviews just compare the F7 to the XA 25 but I would be happy to hear experiences from users who had F6 and XA 25 side by side.

Is it worth an upgrade and which exact differences could I expect sonically?

 

barrista0611

Showing 2 responses by soix

soix
10,013 posts
 

But does the Clayton slide into class A/B and then provide 80w into 8 ohms and 130 into 4?

No, but at 50wpc and 100wpc into 8 and 4 Ohms, respectively, you get to stay in full Class A for all listening.  Personally, I’d have to really need those extra 30wpc to go with the Pass, but that’s me. 

soix
10,013 posts
 

I’d look at the Clayton Audio S40 before the XA25.  It’s double the power into both 4 and 8 Ohms over the Pass and costs $400 less, and it probably sounds even better.  Just not as much press.  My $0.02 FWIW. 

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