@bobheinatz I heard the XA25 briefly at CAS a few months ago. It was in a modest room, with a HPA-1 used as a preamplifier and I believe an Oppo source. Speakers were some Vienna Acoustics floorstanders that the Pass rep said "were what I found in the warehouse." The sound was warm and full but a bit sluggish and laid back for my tastes... but given the setup I can't pin that on the amp at all. The other comments are certainly interesting... I might just have to see if I can get one in-house for review...
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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. |
I’ve auditioned the XA25 in my listening room driving Sonus Faber Cremona Auditor M speakers. This is a very nice amp. Its actual power belies the modest spec sheet but I think that is typical of Pass Labs, especially in low impedance situations. Let me preface the following statements by saying that I don’t hear large differences in sound character between well designed SS amplifiers. I know that is contrary to what many on this site believe. I found the sound of the XA25 to be neutral, revealing and with excellent command of the bass (my speakers go down to ~42Hz). Listening to YoYo Ma’s performance of Dona Nobis Pacem, I can clearly hear his breath control but it doesn’t distract from the music - you’re just a little closer to the performer. I would describe the overall presentation as natural. If you determine that the sound is not to your liking, I would look elsewhere (upstream or downstream in your system) for the cause. This amp is not going to color the sound in any way. If the power is adequate, this is a great choice. |
I have the XA25 for about three months now. Here’s a review that says it all about the sound: http://theheadphonelist.com/pass-labs-xa25-vs-first-watt-f7-the-two-newest-nelson-pass-amplifiers-go... and another: http://www.moremusic.nl/reviews/passlabs/XA25/review-PassLabs_XA25-music-emotion.pdf Scroll for the English version. I’m powering a pair of Acoustic Zen Crescendo 2 speakers (90 dB). Pass suggests at least 91 dB sensitivity so I’m borderline. I find the sound robust, detailed, startlingly quick, with a warm and an unwavering presentation. The 15x20 room fully energizes well before the amp runs out of steam. When pushed, coherence suffers and it’s noticeable. At that level I’m bothering the neighbors anyway (condo). Great amp. |
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