Are Pass Labs amps probably the best ever you can buy ?

I liked the recent interview with Nelson Pass in Stereophile (I think it was Stereophile)...his constant experimentation with his gear and sharing designs with the DIY/Burning Amp crowd is cool. He built a gizmo to add in "even harmonic distortion" to an amplifier (He gave some of these things away at a "Burning" gathering) as part of a theory that that he feels makes music sound more musical...or something...all validating the mysteries behind my single ended tube amp sounding better than any SS amp I've heard. Pass is the rare open book designer who writes his own manuals and shares pretty much everything he does and is funny and seemingly less of an egomaniac than many great designers out there.

What about First Sound pre for Pass Lab 

I recently had Pass restore/update a pair of Aleph 2 mono block amps. My experience with Pass Labs and Kent English has re-set the bar for fantastic customer service. These amps are spectacular. 

I had to check the date to be sure this wasn't an old, resurrected thread.


There are a number of amps at the Pass price point I like better, and even a number of less expensive amps I like better. I agree that Pass sounds different, and for the right person with the right speakers they make buyers very happy. From what I've read, of those who have been generous enough to share with me their buying history and experience, the speakers can make a big difference as to whether Pass is "the best" or not.  Tannoy is one of the brands I hear Pass lovers like to use, so this may be a good guide.


My advice to anyone looking at Pass is to use your own ears and compare them with Ayre and Luxman. These three amp brands sound very different, so they'll give a buyer a really nice survey of the land.