Which amp would you choose and why - Pass Labs XA-25 or First Watt F8?
XA25 actually puts out 80 watts or so. I have had one for a year. The sound is all I could ask for. The drop for the F8 at 4 ohms is not what you want. I won't be trading unless I choose different speakers and that ain't happening. I didn't get into this to spend my time lugging components in and out of my system. |
Jeff Day recently reviewed the F8 and compared it to the XA25. Here’s a link to that review: https://positive-feedback.com/audio-discourse/first-watt-f8-stereo-amplifier/?fbclid=IwAR0VthPNDQNyh... Hope that’s helpful insight. |
I would not be too quick to accept that massive power is always better. I have owned massive amps (i.e., Pass x350) in the past. Headroom is nice, but the grace and Beauty of an XA isn’t there. If your objective is loud and slam, or powering planar, then you need that. But for really good bass and midrange an XA or tube amp is better for many people. |
@ghdprentice +1 Completely agree and I have had several examples just in my own house. My Leben 15w CS-300xs sounds substantially better than a Cary SLI-80HS (80 watts ultralinear) with my Forte III’s. The Leben also far outperforms my 30w Sudgen A21SE with the same Forte III’s. My Pass XA30.8 (30w) paired significantly better than another Cary 120w amp with my Spendor D7’s. Circuit topology, transformers, impedance matches, etc all matter when it comes to amp/speaker synergy. It really is not as linear as just saying "get all the power you can" to ensure a good sound. That works sometimes, but not in every situation. |
