New Aragon 8008 or Pass Labs XA25 ??

I am considering the PassXA25 as  replacement for my BEL 1001Mk5 when I need to replace it. I am in no hurry however, as the BEL is wonderful and I am upgrading my system from the source downstream to speakers. My BEL was made in 2007, so 13 years old. 

Mesch - Please do let us know if you audition the Pass XA25 and report on how it compares with your BEL 1001, an amp I had used for many years with great success ( the original Mark I version).

Unless the newer Aragon’s are much better than the old the Pass is a much more refined amp with finesse but still control. The earlier Aragon’s were great amps for the money but I always felt they sounded like a big amp and didn’t disappear but drew too much attention to themselves. You will not regret the Pass.

Sorry but I dont see CLASS D high end (Merrill/Bel Canto/etc) being good investments. You will lose a TON of money trying to resell those...I mean HUGE!!  I cant speak to inexpensive D gear cause I dont play in that sandbox. Im sure nobody would buy a relatively inexpensive CHERRY Amp USED for anywhere near its MSRP.

If you get good deals on PASS..20-30% off MSRP you cant lose too much.

RIAA

You are right, but same goes for PASS as class D has shaken off its early shortcomings, AND, with relatively inexpensive GaN amps right around the corner


hth

As I understand it your Tekton speakers are relatively easy to drive. 

Not to short the Aragon 8008, however the Pass will provide higher quality watts, however fewer of them. Do you really need a 200wpc amplifier?

I am very much interested in the XA25 myself.

You'll lose your *ss if you ever try to sell a boutique brand like Aragon that nobody has ever heard of. Pass will always be desirable and easy to ditch.

The XA25 is one of the best amps Pass has ever made, which says a lot...

The Aragon 8008 isn’t bad, just nowhere near the quality of the Pass.

PASS XA25 jump on it NOW!!

Thanks - other than speaker efficiency,  would there be any other reasons why you'd pick the XA25?     Cost is about the same,  I'm just wondering.   Would you say, sonically, one would be somewhat superior to the other?

They are very different amps... the XA25 is where I would go if I had to choose, especially with the high efficiency of the Lore.