Yes here are my thoughts, I own both the Pass X-1 preamp and X-250 power amp, and I DO NOT find them anywhere near ruthlessly revealing or harsh. I find most electronics simply pass along the source most of the time. The X-1 has a laid back sound, not tube like but Pass has sort of a "golden glow" that may seem to soften the sound. I also hear this with the Audiomeca Mephisto II.X CDP and most people I know think the CDP sounds warm and lush, but IMO it does not really give you a true tube sound. I have recently tried a few different tube amps (more expensive also) and found that the X-250 is a better amp then I originally thought. I knew for the prices that they sell for that it was the best or one of the best of the bunch and I have not heard a lower priced SS amp beat it sonically. When I played around with some really good preamps the amp realy suppirsed me on what it can do. It will not offer a true tube sound, if you want tubes, buy tubes period, but it was so natural, musical, wider soundstage, depth, etc., and I was not aware that the amp was this good. I was posting many threads recently about amps and preamps and I was thinking of selliing the X-250 recently. I am now looking to up grade other areas of my system to get the improvements I am looking for.
The Pass Aleph amps are great amps but do not have the bass extension/control of the X series and the new XAs bridge the gap although I have not heard one in my system and they cost too much for me.
Are there better amps and preamps than the Pass Labs gear, well yes, but it all comes down to system synergy and mating components that work well together as I recently found out by trying a dozen preamps, etc., in my own system and taking the time to listen to each units own strengths and weakness and what they offer (how they work in my system)that I have right now.
Hope this helps, email me direct with any questions.
Happy Listening.
The Pass Aleph amps are great amps but do not have the bass extension/control of the X series and the new XAs bridge the gap although I have not heard one in my system and they cost too much for me.
Are there better amps and preamps than the Pass Labs gear, well yes, but it all comes down to system synergy and mating components that work well together as I recently found out by trying a dozen preamps, etc., in my own system and taking the time to listen to each units own strengths and weakness and what they offer (how they work in my system)that I have right now.
Hope this helps, email me direct with any questions.
Happy Listening.