2. amps-preamps
  3. 185476-181376

Pls help me decide Pass Labs X250.8 or Luxman M900u

I want to upgrade my 2 channel audio.  I have a 7.2.4 Home Theater system I am in the process of upgrading. Recently I upgraded my old B&W N805 / HTM2 to the 803D4 / HT81D4 and relegated my N805’s to Surround duty (and they excel in this roll!)

I have been driving (due to age of system) with a Pass Labs X5, which I will keep for surrounds and center on HT , but I want to upgrade my 2 Channel Audio.  I currently am trying to decide between the PassLabs X250.8 and the  Luxman M900u.  As these B&W’s can dip down below 2ohms I want to make sure I buy an amp which will bring out the best in my system and handle these dips. I will also be buying a Tube Preamp with HT Bypass -(looking for a used VAC Signature Mk5 SE or the new Backert Rhumba Extreme 1.4)

 

Anyone with experience with either of these amps and B&W 800’s would be great to hear from.

Thx!

 

garynospamm

Showing 2 responses by mtdining

mtdining's avatar
mtdining
131 posts
 

Nelson Pass’s heyday was decades ago.

Pass Amos do not do well with difficult to drive speakers. The Luxman is definitely the better choice, at least based one driving Wilson Audio speakers. I can’t abide the B&Ws lack of coherence- the brutal tweeters. All the remaining talent left that company and founded Vivid.

mtdining's avatar
mtdining
131 posts
 

Pass amps suffer in bass, dynamics, and a lack of high end I normally associate with British sound, compared with Luxman, Boulder, Spectral, Ayre, which are all more lifelike.

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