2. amps-preamps
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Mcintosh 452 vs Pass Labs XA 30.5

Hello everyone, I'm at the Mcintosh house and so maybe part of the answers will be taken for granted, thanks to the desire to try new devices I'm evaluating a transition from my current Final Pass Xa 30.5 to a MC452. Even the pre should be replaced by switching from an Xp10 Pass to the Mcintosh C48.
I use the Totem Mani 2, Audio Physic Scorpio 2 and Tannoy Eaton speakers in a listening environment of around 20 sqm at low and medium volumes.
I would like some advice from those who have had the opportunity to try, comparing these brands and the good interface between the coupled MC 48 and 452 and my speakers.
Thank you.
128x128mizioa

Showing 2 responses by techno_dude

techno_dude
382 posts
 
My vote is for Mcintosh. The second poster said it, the 452 blows the xa30.5 out of the water. Pass reviews were raving about the .5 series years ago, now they say the .8 series is much better.... so the .5 series was not so good then, makes me laugh my a.. off.

About Pass having more soundstage, I say rubbish about carving instruments pinpoint in space...lol  You want soundstage, buy tickets and go to a concert. I prefer having that bold rich sound Mac gives, for less money and with better resale value than Pass...You will be buying much better value overall.
techno_dude
382 posts
 
My last post was deleted, it’s ok I understand why.

To make it a short story, I own a Luxman M900u and the pre I use is a McIntosh C52. I did the preamplifier acid test. I compared the DAC direct to amplifier VS DAC to C52 to amp. to see if I was loosing on resolution and harmonic layering.

The answer, the C52 is transparent as clear water. I was astonished, I did not feel the need to buy the C900u from Luxman, as I was earing every sonic nuances with Mac...

As usual the preamplifier eliminates the thinness of dac direct to amp, elevates dynamics , creates a bigger soundstage, we all know that this is a fact when the dac output stage has not enough voltage to drive the amplifier.

Now about PassLabs , very good gear, but sorry the Luxman M900u has craftsmanship never seen in any Pass gear. Like comparing a Corvette ZR1 to a Bentley...




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