jetter1,598 posts02-26-2020 5:41amI've never heard any Pass Labs amps, but would love to try a XA25.
I have yet to find a Pass or pass design amp, I didn't like. All to varying degrees. I haven't heard the latest and greatest, But Nelson Pass has and still is a very big part of "simple is better". His First Watt amps are custom to the T as per application. Very simple, VERY special. You may want to look there. I haven't looked at all the post, just a thought. Very reasonable on pricing and the best support out there, plane and simple.
Decware is another great choice, but a little on the spendy side. I had a pair of their 60s. I just couldn't find "THAT BASS". Not that it wasn't great it was wonderful, it just wasn't "THAT BASS". They also worked very well on old Klipsch Horns, La Scalas, Corner Horns, ect. I'm not a Klipsch guy per say, But some of the coolest looking and really "Sounding" speaker are Horn loaded, super high E. Super efficient can also equate to a lot of floor noise if your not careful. Extra care on ground loop noise for sure.
First Watt also made a B5 unit for OB application, Active XO, cool little creature. I have one and currently rounding up the goods for a pair of Alfa/Beta dual 15 builds, I'll use planar mids and highs for the center baffle. They are a neet, efficient, DIY speaker. I'm making mine out of
Stair Flats, 1 inch thick, red oak skins over black oak butcher block. Glued and biscuited joined for 18" width. Harder than the hubs of Hell to cut..
Nelsons designs are made for just that. Wonderful bass response warm mids and NOT earbleading hiper highs. Uses a lot of WIMA caps, close tolerances. GOOD stuff mate. 5-15 watts your in heaven. Now I'm more of a HP guy. VTLs, Class D, Macs, AB stuff, push and the pulla!
Momma Mia.
Regards