Pass XA200.8 Review - Fun measurements


Hello everyone. 

Yet again, Stereophile has produced an interesting set of measurements:

https://www.stereophile.com/content/pass-laboratories-xa2008-monoblock-power-amplifier-measurements

Mind you, I'm as interested in why people like certain sounds as I am about absolute performance, if not moreso. 

There are lots of Pass fans out there, or they could never afford to sell amps at $40k per pair. But take a look at the measurements. Plenty of distortion by-products. 

Is it possible Pass has hit on a euphonic recipe his fans adore? 

What do you fans and detractors think? Are we seeing the magic Pass recipe here? 
erik_squires

Showing 1 response by browndt

I think that the Pass X series is their best all around amp. I have the new Pass XP-22 preamp and the Pass X350.8 amp. They produce a very detailed and somewhat tube like sound with excellent sound stage. 
While this system is expensive, you are paying for excellent sound, reliability and product support that is second to none. In fact I had Mark at Reno Hi Fi steer me away from their class A amps because of their lower power and high heat output. I run this system with an 
Allnic H 7000 phono amp (tubes) and achieved an excellent result. 
The trick with a Pas system is to have a tube phono amp like a Herron,
Audio Research or Allnic.

Finally, to me, tube power amps are a real hassle to maintain. Their reliability is far below that of a Pass which is built to last and maintain its sound level. Tubes (especially power tubes) deteriorate over time.
And they have reliability issues because of poor QC in the factories that produce them.