Quandary

@rvpiano The input impedance on the Rogue power amps are very high at 200K ohms (the ones I am familiar with), and your PV 11 output impedance is 500 ohms. This could be an issue. Plus, you will likely have the same problem with the PV11 volume control position. But, if he is not charging you extra for this loaner of a Rogue, you get to experience tubes as well. Sorry the Pass did not work out. I have a prediction where all this will be going, but we shall see. Always my best, MrD.

I know I posted on this thread but cannot find my post and I do not recall deleting it at all. Anyway, as this thread continues, it is apparent the great differences of opinion. Two expensive and heavy 100 lb amplifiers delivered, set up, evaluation time given, and then the reverse. Come pick them up and reconnect the 13 pounder. The store owner is paying someone to do this, or he is doing this himself. Either way, it is a cost to the store owner, in money and time. It is also presenting the possibility of something happening to the mono blocks, as a scratch/dent can occur. This is no different than buying an amplifier with a 10-15 % restocking fee’. It is truly an individual decision, as there is no right or wrong. In my original post, I did indicate it was not fair with the mono blocks being sent, pretending they would mirror the single chassis amp. Not happening, although you must consider rvpiano's speakers have powered low frequency drivers, so any amp will not work as hard as driving full range. I went to people’s homes for years, as my expertise was invited to discuss improvements and upgrades. I did collect a consultation fee, which was discussed in advance. As I was not a dealer (but did business with dealers), my time was valuable. This was and still is, the way it is (not specifically me, as I am retired). As a consumer you either participate or you don’t. I rotate power amplifiers like people rotate socks, so they are an important ingredient to the presentation I am looking for. Just my 2cents. Enjoy ! MrD.

@rvpiano I am not sure how many power amplifiers you have owned, but the difference in presentation between the Benchmark and the Pass are quite different from each other, and would be, with any speaker. My advice to you, is to take your time, breathe easy, and play many pieces of music you recently enjoyed with you Benchmark, and allow the Pass to do their things. "Relax" during this weekend and ENJOY ! You will know which is more "engaging", as this is a term I talk about a lot. Do not think too much about it, and simply, listen. I will continue following this thread, so anything you want to discuss or comment on with all of us here, we have your back. Remember, you are trying to satisfy you...not me, not anyone else....just you. My best, MrD.

The Benchmark amp has three levels of gain via a switch on the rear panel. The highest gain of the Benchmark is 22db. The standard gain on the Pass is 26 db. Quite a difference when dealing with the same source/preamp; more than 3db of a difference. This should not be an issue with the CJ PV11. For the same in room volume level, you will be lowering the volume control on the preamp...no surprise here. The PV11 is phase inverting, meaning somewhere in the system you need to invert phase. Unless there is a phase reversal switch somewhere, this is usually accomplished with the speaker cables at either the amp end or the speaker end. At one end only, the positive wire gets connected to the negative connection of the amp/speaker, for each channel. Not meaning to confuse you rv, just some insight. My best, MrD.

Try not to analyze your listening much. Chill during these hours of listening. Enjoy!

@rvpiano , because of the additional gain of the Pass amps, the setting on your CJ volume control is lower and that incremental adjustments are harder to pinpoint. I am not sure what to make out of "I have to get up and down to change the volume for each recording". This should have been the case with the Benchmark (I too make regular volume adjustments from 1 recording to the next). However, what I believe you might be experiencing with the Pass, is a "greater sense of dynamic range" as they have extraordinarily large, beefy and well designed power supplies. Try and relax with the volume setting as this should not be disconcerting.

The gain on the 30.8 is the same as the monos so it would likely be the same with the volume control setting on your preamp. You are likely using the volume control closer to the 12-2 o’clock position with the Benchmark. Most amplifiers have gain of 26db or even more (was at one time the industry norm), so this volume situation will still occur. Volume attenuators (the kind used in the PV11, with wipers) are actually better when they are used at around the 12 o’clock position or higher (the higher you go the less resistance within the wipers). Your PV11 has 20db of gain, which is greater than most, ime. You can always have CJ, or a good tech, lower the gain, or even replace the attenuator with something like a Khozmo unit, but this is jumping ahead. Not sure what else I can say, but if this is a problem and is disconcerting, you might have your answer earlier than after the full weekend. Pass is not at fault here, but the gain issue seems to be, as suggested by yogiboy above. My best, MrD.

@rvpiano good afternoon. Keep in mind, Benchmark and Pass, imo, ime are catering to different audiences of listeners. Benchmark = clean, uncolored, bare to the bones neutral. Pass = smooth, lush, velvety, romantic and dynamic. Tube amps = smooth, lush, velvety, romantic. Are you seeing a similarity here. What this weekend has done for you, whether you purchase a Pass or not, is the exposure of an amplifier's character. The Benchmark has zero character, ime, as it was designed to not have one. This is not to say it is not a wonderful amplifier and has proven itself over and over again. Many love it, some do not. However, most amplifiers have a "flavor", and these flavors are appealing to many. Nelson is the flavor king when it comes to solid state. Many love it, some do not. $300 is worth this experience alone, providing you can afford it. Let's face it, this is what audiophiles do; go from one piece of gear to another, looking/listening to satisfy their individual tastes (I have so much to say about this, and have ad nauseum). You might prefer the Benchmark, which is fine. You are getting some of this flavor with your PV11. A big word as of late used throughout our community (although this has existed for decades), is "synergy", which is combining a little of this and a little of that (sometimes a lot of this and a lot of that), to get to that final place within our rooms. So, just experience the Pass amps while they are there. Relax and enjoy and try not to be anxious or critical. We are standing by. My best, MrD.

@rvpiano Always, to a Long Islander😄, lol.

@rvpiano , I happen to feel quite the opposite about Pass and classical music reproduction, as I find Pass excels with it. You might in fact be losing details based on the preamp volume control position, which could result in hearing less details. I never lived on Long Island, but many of my customers lived there. Some of my favorite salespeople were out there as well, and I enjoyed visiting/buying from the audio shops. I am going back a few decades. I have many stories to tell, and at 70, I would love to tell them all. Another time, as this thread is about you, and your journey. My best and standing by. MrD.  

BTW, volume attenuation has become a large topic in our industry (it has always been) and it is a very known fact of how it’s design and execution can make or break a system, which could honestly be your PV 11s weakness, with the Pass in the system. Have a great tech replace the stock attenuator with a remote controlled attenuator by KHOZMO (impedance matched of course), as I believe there might be room inside the chassis. Generally, a small receiving sensor can be located outside of the chassis, as opposed to drilling a hole into the faceplate. Or you can always upgrade to a more recent preamp, as I am sure many here will agree (some may not). This with whatever power amp(s) you decide on. Not to put a knife into your weekend, but you could be losing much detail with the CJ attenuator and its user position with the extra gain of the Pass. Sorry, this might not be helpful, but I needed to say it.

@rvpiano , at least you now know. Keep in mind, music and music listening should be an enjoyable and entertaining endeavor. What this means and what I have found by experience with myself as well as others, my mood matters when I listen, before I listen. This is another topic that can be and has been discussed on another thread, in fact. My best Always, MrD.

It is important to note, the preferences we all have (at least those that know what their preferences are) why tubes or solid state is the right direction to take (speaking about power amplifiers only). Tube power amps do not do it for me. Them the facts. Anyone familiar with and have a preference for tubes amps, and very specific tube amps as larryi above, definitely does not listen to music the way I do, nor have the same expectations, wants and desires as I do. I am sure we listen to different music as well. Right or wrong? There is none. Not with the varied tastes we all have when listening. For larryi, he has found his comfort place/happy place, and I am extremely happy for him, and the many listeners he interacts with. I have found my comfort place and my happy place, and this is all that matters. I have stated over and over and over again, ad nauseum, that each of us are individuals, and we like what we like. Musicianship, composition and artistic expression are what I listen to, first and foremost. Yes, these are sounds. Our recordings have many sounds, so enjoy those sounds in your preferred order, through your preferred system. Enjoy! MrD.

BTW, ditto from larryi's point of view.