Who has heard the new Pass XA25?

Hey bobheinatz,

My review on the XA-25 should be put up on hometheaterreview.com in the next two weeks.  I own a pair of XA-60.8 mono-blocks and a First Watt SIT 2, they are great amplifiers.  However, for my tastes I believe the XA-25 might be the best amplifier that Nelson and his staff have yet to produce in their long storied history.  If it was not for it's lack of background noise and its dynamic control of the low end, you might think you are listening to a SET tube based amplifier because of the purity/density of timbres/tonality and how it has 3D "meat on the bones" imaging that you rarely get out of a SS design.  Take a look at my review for a lot more details why I have made this my reference amplifier in my reviewing system.

Hey bobheinatz,

Here's two more reviewers that have raved about the XA-25:

1) "the audio beatnik" on his website did an excellent job of comparing the XA-25 to his XA-30.8.  He's a good writer and has excellent ears.

2) On the website Audiophiliac, Steve Guttenburg has also reviewed the XA-25 and fallen in love with it. 

I'm in basic agreement with both their perspectives on this amplifier.  The major difference is what preamplifier they used to drive it.  I found the combination of the Linear Tube Audio Micro-ZOTL with NOS tubes with the XA-25 to be a remarkable match made in sonic heaven in my system.  

Hey Guys,

In the February edition of Stereophile the reviewer, Herb Reichert, gave a superlative rave over the XA-25 performance.  I believe he kinda missed how terrific the amp's tonality/timbres and its rendering of 3D/imaging and space are, but he did get how quiet/transparent it is compared to his SET tube amplifier or possibly any amplifier on the market, along with its speed/power/control overall.

John Atkinson's measurements showed that the XA-25 greatly out-performed its stated power ratings significantly, indeed.  It's specified power out put is 25 watts into 8 ohms and 50 watts into 4 ohms.  Atkinson's measurements were 80 watts into 8 ohms and 130 watts into 4 ohms.  

Pass Labs is always quite conservative in their ratings to begin with, with the XA-25 this little amp in size is quite the powerhouse hitting way above its ratings.

 

Hey Guys,

Just informed that my review on the XA-25 will go up next Monday on hometheaterreview.com.  I wanted to make the XA-25 one of my choices for POY AWARDS 2017, but missed the deadline to submit it.  

I talked to Olesno, very nice gentlemen, so thanks David for suggesting  to him we could discuss this amplifier.  I never thought I would hear a SS amplifier with the special colors/tonality that great tube SET delivers, yet the XA-25 provides that plus dynamics and control that are beyond the reach of favorite SET amps.

Johnk,  I don't understand why you believe that the XA-25 would only work with "easy" to drive speakers.  It delivers over 130 watts into 4 ohms and drops high levels of current when it needs to.  Yes, I would not recommend for MBL's, but short of that it will work quite well with many different speaker loads.  Is it totally the equal of a great 300b/2A3 SET amp in the areas were they are quite special- pretty freaking close!  What preamplifier was driving the XA-25 during your listening period?  I still have guests that cannot believe that this amp is not a SET tube based design.

Hey bobheinatz,

I own the ZOTL40 amplifier and its a great sounding amplifier.  However, for my tastes the XA25 does everything better.  Also, I drive the XA25 with the LTA Mico-ZOTL and love this combo.