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Disappointment with Pass Labs - I'm looking for something else

Hello, I am new to this forum and my mother tongue is not English, so please forgive me if I make mistakes as I use a translator.

I recently bought an XA30.8 and an XP12. I was very happy but as time went by I began to not feel comfortable with the sound.
After doing many tests, I find that the XA30.8 sounds very very sweet but actually too much. I find it to be a loosely defined amp, somewhat muddy and lacks a lot of air and grip. The soundstage is very closed.

The XP-12 is the worst of the two. It is a previous that removes a lot of resolution and information, without transient attacks and sunken mid frequencies. Instead it brings warmth.

Has anyone of you found the same?

If you ask me, I have a Klipsch Cornwall and a dCS BArtok.

Now I want a capable amp, forceful, something warm, decisive, airy and with a great soundstage.

At first I thought of changing my XA30.8 for X250.8, and changing the XP-12 for a second-hand Audio Research Ref5. I am afraid of this change and continue with Pass, since I can go back to the same thing a bit.

On the other hand I have thought of going for a Luxman 900 combo, since it has very good reviews and from what I have read it could be the winning ticket.
opm
arcticdeth's avatar
arcticdeth
1,549 posts
 
Don’t worry about price!

 3000$ speakers, 400$ amp

 550$ speakers, 7500$ amp.

 Don’t matter. Enjoy.

 My amps were 10K new, driving a 3K speaker pair. (Paid 400$ pair new)
Basement system is 4500$ amps w a 125$ pair used speakers. 

Computer system is 200$ Yammy  receiver w early 90’s BIC Ventura’s hooked to technics sl1200 mkII W ortofon Arkiv Concorde to record LPs’ to computer to record to CD.

 BUT,.......a nice 250W - 300W amp is a must.

under 250 W you will clip if you like volume, plus you will lose the ease and transition from soft passages to a sudden peak of ....ROCK, or orchestral, classical, whatever you listen to. 
danvignau's avatar
danvignau
935 posts
 
My suggestion is to upgrade your speakers. 
ifanpayne
18 posts
 
How about a VanAlstine? It might pair well with Klipsch. I have had a Synergy 450 for a number of years, which I loved, and just upgraded to a pair of his DVA 850 monblocks. VanAlstine pices are most reasonable IMHO. 
rspyder
98 posts
 
You understand the merits of a Class A circuit and have a speaker that permits it.

If you are prepared to make a step in the direction of a valves (i.e. towards the arrival point vs. the journey to eventually get there) and want to simplify your system by moving to an integrated solution and with the punch and transient speed of SS, then I would strongly suggest the Octave V 70 Class A with the Super Black Box.  Pure heaven!

Ray
beeswax
56 posts
 
Soooo many responses!
I think you're on the right track. The Luxman 900 amps are amazing.
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