Pass X-250.8, X-250.5 or XA-30.8...or?

The pass monoblocks got better over time gradually because I made changes to room acoustics as well as cabling and vibration control devices.  This got me 80 percent to total happiness.  I then changed my turntable cartridge from lyra kleos to koetsu platinum signature which found used on audiogon and that was the final element needed to make everything sound glorious in the midrange and a tight bass.

The dartzeel is in a different room with different equipment including dartzeel preamp so hard to compare the amps in terms of how close pass gets but would say if had to buy new would be very content with the pass at half price.  However used they are roughly same price nowadays and would buy dartzeel first as it still more magical.  That said dart amp should be played with dart preamp as that is where magic occurs and pass better if driving less efficient speakers than 90db so really system dependent.

I have not heard newer lux and frankly if luxman monoblocks were not twice as much as pass 260.8 would have auditioned them.  I was offered great price but still over 50 percent more than pass monoblocks and so was non starter.   I dont think a stereo luxman would be enough power for harbeth 40.2 to fully make em sing.

I have heard chatter that luxman stereo has many qualities similar to dartzeel so must be impressive....

I've owned the BHKs as well (and tube rolled) - did not find them the right match. Luxman m900, Rowland 625s2. I've considered the Hegel as well but hear it's quite forward sounding which isn't my preference.

Keith great choice. I have a feeling the YG, Pass pairing will be excellent. I talked to my local YG dealer about this, he runs BHK300s on his Sonja 1.3 (hes upgrading to 2.3 soon). I mentioned Pass and he seemed to think the BHKs would definitely be better but I think he underestimates Pass. They make fantastic amps. Please let us know how it works out.
Which Luxman did you have?

I have an X350.8 arriving on Friday. I've owned the Luxman, Rowland, etc. on my YGs Haileys. They love power, that is clear. My lowly Ampzillas have and continue to be my base amplifiers. 

@karmapolice  some questions

1.  What changed for you after listening for longer period about pass?

2. Overall how close does your pass amps get to dart performance? And which Dart do you have?

3. Have you heard any lux amps?
Thx!

WC audiogon user swaps equipment like a nascar pit crew swaps tires.

Its great fun but imho you dont buy based on listening to constantly rotating equipment over a brief period of time.

I own the 260.8 monoblocks and doubt will sell them because while I would love to hear the XA200.8 monoblocks they cost a lot more and run a lot hotter.  The 600.8 monoblocks might be appealing but take up incredible amount of room and also run so hot.  The XS amps are prohibitively expensive.  

it took a little bit of time to get the pass labs to mate well with the Harbeth 40.2 but now it sounds wonderful for almost any recording even poorly recorded ones.  Had I made a final conclusion after 30 days or less my opinion would have been pretty good only.

I also own a dartzeel amplifier for a different room and think that the pass labs is pretty close in the midrange and has more bass slam.  

The pass labs is a great value when you consider performance versus cost.

the dartzeel amplifier is very expensive in the USA but again is crazy good especially if you buy it used.



 

"I rather take the Hegel H30 over the pass 350.8. Sorry to do this to Nelson but he dropped the ball with the 350.8. I rather own the 350.5. More musicality and sweetness. The Hegel H30 beats both and it does it quite easily. Whatever pass labs is going to do next to replace the .8 series they need to truly think hard and long because I feel that the .8 series was a failure. I’m pretty much mentally retired from the .8 series from pass. Ain’t a d@mn thing I like about it. Luxman 900u mops and sweeps the floor with the 350.8. Actually, the Luxman 900u demolishes the 350.8 in every single area."
- White Camaross

Interesting perspective.

Ive been told the 350.8 is more suitable for Rock compared to the 250.8 which works better for Jazz/Classical  YMMV

I agree with what Pass Labs told you, though I think the XA160.8 has no disadvantages with the X250.8, as it is 3X more expensive...a more comparable comparison would be the X350.8 and the XA60.8...there seems to not be agreement on whether the X350.8 sounds better, rather than different from the X250.8...and later X250.5's were a little different than earlier ones, you can tell which is which by the changes on the rear panel...

Which speakers were you running and in what way was the 160.8 better ?

XA160.8 way better than X250.8 which I owned for a long time and liked quite a lot...according to me and everyone who listened to my system...

Has anyone compared 250.8 or 350.8 vs XA100.8 or XA160.8 ?

Agreed zavato-

I want to crank it up as well. Easily over 100dB.

My Studio 2’s are driven extremely well by a 250.8. I never feel I need more power, no matter how loud I listen (I can easily exceed 100dB). The pairing sounds superb.

I enjoy Jazz and Rock, which amp for both?

Thanks.
He said that they were voiced slightly differently and that the 250 was more Jazz and the 350 more Rock. But mainly that the Revels would be very happy with the 250's output, even in my large space.
It's going to be good to get Mr.Pass back in my life :-)

Good choice!!!
You'll enjoy it..

I just had a really nice and educational chat with Mark@Reno HiFi. And his recommendation was for a X250.8. He thinks it is more than powerful enough for my Revels and would match my taste in music better than the 350.8. He has a pair too so I guess he knows what gets them going! Looks like I have my next amp picked out :-)
Thanks again for all the advise guys!
Aloha.

Mahalo George.
Very enlightening but still confusing :-)

mauidj

There was a group A/B done between the .8 and the .5 here.

https://forum.audiogon.com/posts/1370757

Cheers George

Guys-

for those that stepped up from a Pass Labs .5 series to a .8, tell me about the sonic difference(s)?

mauidj-

how about a Krell EVO power amp?

for me, the X250.8 was a significant upgrade from the X250.5      Same for a friend who did the same upgrade

Many thanks for the input.
It's a fairly large space.......hexagonal with 18' long walls so I'm reading that you all think a 350 would be a better choice.
I would like monos but it's not really practical in my situation.
Is there a lot of difference between the .5 and .8 series?
Probably going to buy used or demos.

Im using Pass 350.8 most of the time its running in class a wonderful stage,bass definition,stage and great highs etc. Great I'm running Magico Q3 speakers which need lots of power.Enjoy!!

Pass labs X350.8 or X260.8 monos. The salon 2 need power to open up.

What's the size of your room?
Do you listen at a high SPL?
These will have an impact on your choice...
I have the X250.8 with Legacy Signature SE speakers in a 17x12x8 room, and that's good enough for me @ 75db-84db
That being said, you can't have too much power :-)

I have two friends with Salon2's and they both have Pass X350.8 amps. Incredible pairing and they are using ARC Ref 6 preamps. You really need some power to help the Salon2's to open up.