Pass Labs XA-25 vs XA-30.8 amplifier


Has anyone listened to the Pass Labs XA-25 and XA-30.8 amplifiers? Can you share what you heard, as well as what the differences are besides rated power and cost? I’m thinking of using one of these amps with my Audiovector R1 Arrete speakers and REL T/9x subwoofer (source is Weiss 501 DAC/digital preamp).

klarinet

Showing 1 response by retiredaudioguy

I cannot comment on the 30.8 but the XA25 is a superb amp, utterly transparent, that will drive my Rockport Atria IIs easily.  It is revealing of poor recordings however.  You hear EVERYTHING that is on the source, a singer's breathing, a a guitarist's fingers on strings and decays that last forever.  On a piano you are aware of the shape of each note.

It is rated at 50 watts into 4 ohms at .1% THD, class A.

My setup is Aurender, Esoteric K-01XD, Benchmark LA4, VPI Scoutmaster with Koetsu RSP.  Cardas cables.

I flip back and forth between the XA25 and a premium Elekit 8600S and love the sound of both, the revealing, detailed (but still musical) precision of the XA25 and the more organic, concert hall like, presentation of the SET.