Pass x260.8 v. Parasound JC1+?

I have heard both, although briefly..and not on the same day. The Parasound is very good indeed but not as refined as the Pass amp. Parasound is a little bright or shrill on the top end compared to the Pass. IMO.

would help to know what nature of improvement the op seeks

that would inform any educated answer to the question

we are kef dealers with a lot of experience with them 

wehave a few ideas for you

Dave and Troy

Audio intellect  nj

I do not like the combo of Parasound and KEF blades.  Cold and dry.  The new .8 Pass are your ticket.  

Thank you all for your feedback. Very helpful.  Cheers. 

The best is to try it in your own system.  Everyone has different taste.  You think it is bright, I think it is perfect.  I have some experience with JC1+ and it is not bright at all in my opinion.  

I owned the Pass Labs X350.5 and I was able to try a X350.8 thanks to Reno Hi-Fi. To my ears the 350.8 was dull sounding. The 350.5 had much more excitement. I kept the 350.5. (However later on I did eventually sell it).

Now, I also owned the Cary SL-05 and I thought that it to be very constricted. You would probably be better off getting rid of it.

IMHO that is.

ozzy

I heard the KEF blades with JC1+ amps at the Pacific Audio Fest last summer. I thought they sounded nice, but I don't think they lived up to the price point. But these were "show" conditions. 

I've owned the JC5 and the XA60.8, and the Pass amps were clearly superior in my system (warmer and more engaging sound, deeper and wider sound stage), but the Pass amps are considerably more expensive. The sound stage improvements could have easily been because the Pass amps are monoblocks while the JC5 isn't.

Im a lucky owner of a pair JC1+ paired with a ARC ref6SE. Ive tried with several pre´s and also ran my Lumin X1 direct to my blocks with LEEDH volum control. There will always be diffrences, a thing I like about our hobby, same as room treatment. But I can tell you for sure that I have never, ever found the JC1+ to be bright or "schrill"....Not even close.... Ive hears my mates 2 x Devialet Pro 1000 run as monoblocks and to be honest.....that was way to more bright then I could ever get the JC1+ sounding!!

I have had both JC1+ & x260.8 monos in my house for the past 3 months.

Speakers: Focal Maestro Utopia III with twin REL subs

DAC: Holo May

Preamps: VAC Renaissance Mk V and the Audio Research REF6

I did a lot of back and forth between the JC1+ and the X260.8. In the end, I ended up selling the X260.8.

I feel that, perhaps, for easy to drive speakers (minimum impedance >= 4 ohms), the X260.8 might be better. Their midrange is magical-like in my room.
For my system setup, the JC1+ were clearly better. Most of my listening is jazz & classical & I don’t listen to music very loud (around 75 dB SPL at the listening position). If you have hard to drive speakers and are on a budget, the JC1+ are fantastic.

And yes, the JC1+ are not bright at all - if anything, the complaints generally are that they are a bit dark.

@reg19 What made you feel the JC1+ was superior over the X260.8s? Both are top contenders for me, currently running a JC5 with Focal Kanta 3s so both amp and speaker signatures are familiar to me. TIA!

@christianb5s4  perhaps, if I had your system, I’d try the X260.8 first - as your speakers are not difficult to drive.

In my system, especially while listening to classical music, I got a fuller sound (including better transients) with the JC1+ - at regular listening levels. The X260.8 did have a better midrange.

But, Kent English at Pass Labs is very very bullish on the X260.8 - even over their other Pass offerings - for most speaker pairings. 

To me the Pass amps are about natural tone, midrange, dynamics and striking a balance between warmth and instrument separation and details. Midrange with Pass amps is ridiculous. The presentation is never analytical. If you’re looking for an amp that spotlights every instrument within the soundstage, look elsewhere. 

I’ve owned X250.5, XA30.8 and now own and enjoy a pair of X260.8. 
 

@christianb5s4 Also: Pass X260.8 mates better with REF6 than the JC1+ does. According to Pass, Audio Research is the most popular preamp combo with Pass amps (other than Pass preamps, of course - which aren’t that great, IMHO).

I perhaps should have mentioned I have a Pass XP22 pre w/ upgraded umbilical, which I do like very much given its neutrality and touch of warmth.

One part of it is an interest in possibly trying brand synergy with Pass amps, however I do really like how it sounds with JC5 albeit I wouldn't mind a touch more warmth and mid-range at times without losing detail and highs/shimmer.

I very much value all the feedback, especially from actual users. So thank you for sharing.

XP22 with X260.8 sounds awesome here. 

https://forum.audiogon.com/posts/2537731

Do the Pass also have BIAS adjustments, and GAIN adjustments from a flick of a button?

No bias adjustment on Pass.