Pass X-250 or McCormack DNA-2 Deluxe

I second the classe rec., good match for your speakers, however, your current choice and all recs are solid - you have to decide what floats your boat...good luck!

Keith Yates is a six figure home theater designer. Check out his site: http://www.keithyates.com/ Dealing with cost no object clientele, Keith is always on the look out for the very best audio gear available. Keith has given me permission to reprint a letter he sent me recently:

"I typically specify the speakers, subs and processors that go into my
projects. I'm increasingly being called on to spec the power amps and
source components, too. If Nelson would make his gear rack-friendly I'd
spec it in a heartbeat. In my opinion Nelson Pass is the only real genius circuit
designer in high-end audio. There are a few others whose parts- and
build-quality are at least as good (Burmester and Rowland come first to
mind, and maybe Spectral, Levinson and Boulder, too), but no one
combines execution and sheer circuit-inspiration as completely as
Nelson."

So there you have it. In my own experience, I have found the Pass X will sound like anything you want, as it has no character of it's own. What it will do, is give your music dazzling dynamic range, fatigueless listening like no other ss amp, and perfect clarity that works wonders with instrument tone decay. Your tube pre will be a very good choice. With the Pass, you will learn right away whether you have the right tubes or not. Your front end may or may not do. The Pass is as sweet and liquid as you want it. that's what I like, and I do it with tubes in the front end.

The McCormack is not even in the same league, with or without the revs. I don't see Plinius in Keith's short list either.

I agree with Muralman1, I recently acquired a pair of Pass X-600s. They can almost justify the outrageous price for High-End audio. The built quality is awesome, but the most important is that they make my Revel Salons come alive.

I agree with Mr Yates and am a BIG "fan" of Nelson's power amps. However, i am not "brainwashed" into thinking that there are other designs that aren't just as good or even better for specific situations. As mentioned above, the Gamut seems to be very well built and uses very high quality parts throughout. As such, it might be worth checking into also.

Having said that, i don't think that you could go wrong with either a Pass or McCormack product. I do think that there are sonic differences between them and an audition would be in order before plunking down the cash and making a long term commitment to either of them though. I don't think that it is so much a matter of which amp is "better" at this level so much as which one is more compatible with your system and personal preference.

Either way, don't forget to take into consideration that most all of Nelson's amps that i've ever tinkered with sound best when they are left on 24/7. I would "assume" that the McCormack might be similar but i have limited experience with these amps. You might want to check into how much idle current these amps pull and make sure that your installation will allow adequate ventilation for whichever one you pick. Sean
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Personally I don't think Pass is a good match to
B&W speakers. The combo always sounds too analytical
to me. DNA-2 will be a much better match. Belles 250A
and Odyssey stratos are all very good selections.

my 0.02
RULEE