Thanks for that, Ozzy. Keep up the good work! |
This was my experience as well. The large PS caps need more time to form. Keep your chin up for at least 40-50 hours of signal. |
I've had the Pass X350.8 plugged in now for about 5 days. Playing time is about 10-15 hours.
The sound stage is deep but seems a little dark. That is, with little air around the instruments, and the treble seems to be a little muted.
Though this somewhat concerns me, it is probably normal for the amount of time on the Amp. |
Dave 72, First impression. Pretty good...
Deeper soundstage, better bass and treble. Even at this early stage, I'm sure its a keeper. Thanks for that, Ozzy, it definitely helps me out. I look forward to your full review... |
Hello Ozzy. Can you compare it to the XA series if you have heard them? I'm looking for the liquidity and naturalness of the XA but the dynamics of the X. I'm actually waiting on a X350.8 too. Have owned/demoed the X150.5, X250.5 and the XA100.5. Many thanks. |
Dave 72, First impression. Pretty good...
Deeper soundstage, better bass and treble. Even at this early stage, I'm sure its a keeper. |
I used to own Pass and Eggleston Rosas. Pass and Eggleston are a great combination. I found the more power I had with my Egglestons, the better they sounded.
My buddy Madfloyd just upgraded from the XA160.5 to the XA160.8. I heard both in his system two times. The .8 had much better control of the Alexia's bass and the overall sound was more transparent. I think the .8 also has lower noise so more information came through. I really liked the .8. |
That's cool, Ozzy. Is there anything you like about it so far, or is it too early to tell? |
Dgarretson, Thanks for the info. I'll give it some time. |
Ozzy, I'm breaking in XA-160.8 monoblocks. Suggest at least 40-50 hours of time with music before forming critical judgment. |
I just received my X350.8 Amp and I am now listening to it... |
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The pressure is building Ozzy, lots of us waiting for your report...I know Reno recommends and 8 day break in, at least for the .5 series... |
Whitecap, thank you. I should have it next Tuesday. Probably won't be able to play it much until perhaps that weekend. |
Ozzy, I too look forward to your impressions of the new amp. |
Acurus, Thank you for your comments. Really based on your experience is what prompted me to go for the newer version. That plus Reno HiFi is excellent to work with. |
You're welcome, Ozzy. I'm considering Pass Labs as an upgrade (from another brand) myself. Just the amp though, I'm not too crazy about their preamps... |
Dave_72, Thanks, I have been so pleased with the Pass equipment that I doubt if the newest version will disappoint. |
Pretty cool. Congrats on the new amp. I look forward to your comparison. That should be fun. I wish I was over there to hear both side by side. :D |
Jl35, I agree with you it does sound strange.But, I just talked to Pass Labs and Reno HiFI and both said it is minimal in actual usage and the newer technology uses it more efficiently.
Anyway, I ordered one (X350.8)to compare to my Pass Labs X350.5.
So, in the next few weeks I'll be able to post my comparison. |
Interesting that the X350.8 loses 5 Class A watts, while the X250.8 gains 10 from 15 to 25 in Class A. |
Mtrot,
From The Pass Labs website.
In Class A the X350.8 35 watts.
In Class A the X350.5 40 watts.
Hifimaniac, odd that you would describe the Pass Labs Amp as bright. But I guess based on way we assemble our systems anything is possible.
I have the Eggleston Works Andra 2 speaker and with the Esotar tweeters they have never sounded bright.
To upgrade or not that is the question... |
Owned a brand new 350.5 and ran it for 30 days to break in and it still sounded lean and bright to me. I was surprised as everyone told me how great sounding the Pass amps were. My old Jeff Rowland Model 9's of ten years ago easily outperformed the Pass in the areas of musicality, bass control, extension, etc. I dumped mine after two months of giving it time to settle in. I did audition the Pass 100.5 and that amp is far more musical than the 350.5 and had I stayed with solid state that is the Pass I'd have kept. |
Great question! I would like to know about this as well. |
I have compared the XA60.5 to the new 60.8, I would assume the same changes in sound are across the board to varying degrees despite the different series.
First off, the amps are quite different looking (although typical Pass labs look), bigger, longer, heavier, totally different binding posts and back panel. Build quality seems a bit better. For sound, the background is much blacker, deeper and wider. The window into the sound is endless. Bass is far more authoritative especially at lower volumes. Textures, tones and body are all improved significantly. Quite frankly, they could have come up with an entire new nomenclature as far as I am concerned. The upgrade is not insignificant. As good as the 60.5s were, the 60.8s are just head and shoulders better in every aspect.
I would bet the X series amps offer the same overall improvements. |
I'm also interested in this. I believe the info on the Pass website claims that the .8 models operate MORE in class A than the .5. |
