Amplfiers that Sound like Pass 30.8 that are not so heavy


I am moving  to a smaller house and I really need a amp that is not as heavy as the Pass 30.8. Currently it is hooked up to a pair of QLN Prestige 3's with Adrenaline Speaker cables, a SAS 11A preamp recently modified and upgraded and fed by a Pagoda DAC.  I love the sound of this amp with a the tube preamp. But....its just really to heavy for me to move around by myself. And yes I do go to the gym. Also it does put out some heat which is not the coolest thing in Florida. Any ideas on an amp that would be a good substitute for the 30.8's would really be appreciated.  My listening prefernces lean toward transparency and holographic instrument presentation. Thank all of you for your help and direction on my question. Best wishes to all for a healthy, safe and peaceful New Year.

char1

I owned a pair of Pass XA-100.5 amps and went to a 30.8 because of the heat. I have a smallish room and the Pass amps are like space heaters. Something I don't need in Texas in the summer. I went through a plethora of amps including several McIntosh (heavy),  Classe (not heavy), Cary, Krell (not as heavy or as hot as Pass and sound like Pass), Bryston and a few others.

In my opinion, the Bryston (4Bsst2) is the best bang for the buck. It sounds as good as the Pass, doesn't get hot and only weighs 50 pounds - almost 40 lbs less than the 30.8. Highly recommended. From what I have read, the 4Bsst3 sounds even more like the Pass.

[please excuse my poor English]

 

Given the easy impedance (min. 6 Ohms, see graph) of your QLN Prestige 3 speakers, I would give the new and terrific NuPrime AMG-STA ($1695) a try, seriously. Compact and lightweight (8.8 lbs).

Input stages in class A. Output stages in class D.

Initially, I did not want class D amplifiers, not even to jam a door. I nevertheless had the opportunity to listen to the at home, and bought them in 30min. (with their AMG-PRA preamp, amazing too). This was for a 2nd system. But they are amazing.

Very nice-sounding, with a lot of transparency, image precision, and timbres (I listen to classical!). I was very, very surprised. Now, I think not all class D amplifiers sound that good. Moreover, you have to say "class D" with hyphens, as then did not pick up off-the-shelf class D modules (Hypex, etc). They wanted their amp to sound much better. They build their own circuit with very high switching frequency to reach the most "analog" possible sound.

 

2w130w. Switchable in mono mode (=> 2xAMG-STA gives you a pair of monoblocks for only $3390. It is this combination that amazed Christiaan Punter, excellent Dutch reviewer (see Hifi-advice review, hereafter).

The Absolute Sound "highly recommended" (review)

Hifi-advice "highly recommended" (review)


I really appreciate their weight when I have to move them around. They sound much, much better than my 80w, 40lbs Marantz PM-16 in that 2nd system. I have not yet compared them though to my YBA Classic + Aries Cerat Incito preamp sitting in my main system (in another town).

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QL Prestige 3 - IMPEDANCE

I agree with the folks saying that the Pass amp is special and perhaps you should just get help moving it, so you don't have to change it out.

That said, if you must change, I recommend that you consider the Son of Ampzilla II by Spread Spectrum Technologies (SST). 

  • It only weighs 42 pounds and puts out 220 watts per channel.
  • The sound is very Pass-like and exudes the best of aspects of a Class A amp - including running very warm.
  • It delivers beautifully on every measure of sound you may have for an amp from bass to imaging to detail without harshness.

I admit that I bought this amp 6 months ago after a careful search and it will be my last amp.

Happy listening however you choose to go!