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Pass Labs amps questions

SO i started looking into Pass brand amps.  My room is carpeted movie theater of rectangular shape, 18 wide x 26 ft deep.  I'm currently running Audio Research 5SE into Mark Levinson 331 (100 watt RMS SS at 8ohms) then Dynaudio Confidence C4 speakers.  Although I love the sound this gives me, i feel it just doesn't have enough oomph!  For example, in order to sound "right" when i listen to the Eagles Hell Freezes Over DVD, volume is at level 60 on the 5SE.  Im not detecting any clipping at all nor does the Levinson get too warm.  I don't think its straining at all but not sure how to tell.  Its old and i just want to try and get a different or maybe see if i can get a better sound.  I am wondering what the audioafficianados out there would recommend or provide more info on with regards to the Pass Labs line up.  I am specifically wanting a pair of Class A mono blocks.  What falls in my budget is a pair of the XA200.5's on the Agon site here now VS a New/Demo X350.8 demo from Reno Hifi.   Would the X350.8 hold an advantage over the 200 monos with its additional 300 watts of power (C4s are 4 ohms)? I remember needing to double the power in order to move the SPL 3 db???.   If this were correct and given my room size, would this added power benefit my system? All in all would you prefer used pure class A less power or brand new class AB higher power for about the same price?  I'll sit and *listen* for your knowledgeable replies.  Thanks in advance.
chenglo1
georgehifi's avatar
georgehifi
10,312 posts
 
+1 for the XA200.5’s.
Being the XA it will have more classA bias on it compared to the X series, and therefore should sound sweeter. And run hotter, than the X (you pay a little for that extra sweetness)
The C4’s are 90db and a fairly easy load, so the 200watts of the XA200.5 which probably puts out more like 250w should be ample for big level.
http://www.stereophile.com/images/archivesart/DynConfFig1.jpg

Cheers George
mb1audio
151 posts
 
" I don't think its straining at all but not sure how to tell."

You listen to it. If an amp is straining, its very easy to hear. 

" Although I love the sound this gives me, i feel it just doesn't have enough oomph!  For example, in order to sound "right" when i listen to the Eagles Hell Freezes Over DVD, volume is at level 60 on the 5SE. "

Before you go any further, you need to look at the source. I don't know what DVD player you have, but its most likely  a bottleneck. If you don't start with a source that has the qualities you need, the rest of the system doesn't matter. You can't amplify what's not there.
jim_swantko
301 posts
 
I'd choose the XA mono's over the X350.8 although both are excellent.  The XA amps are really something special, and once you get a taste of Class-A operation it's hard to get enough of it.
jl35
3,936 posts
 
some listeners prefer the X series to the XA   you just gotta listen    contact Pass, they will help you decide based on your preferences
denon1
329 posts
 
chenglo1, the latest  0.8 from pass are more resolving than previous 0.5 and considered by many improvement over 0.5 and they build some better. Even the new furutech binding post are something special. Also you for sure are missing what your speakers can deliver. Plus you have a great pre-amp that many people using with pass. I would work with Mark from Reno HIFI. He will be able to get exactly what you want. Try both class A and class A/AB and see what you like best in your system. Don't just settle on XA 200.5 (even so they are very good). Work with Mark on auditioning newer 0.8 series. His demo policies are terrific. Working with him you be able to get what you like best.
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