Pass Labs amps and Avantgarde speakers

Have you been running your DCS directly to the amps in the past? Why are you replacing your existing amps? Have you tried any preamps between the DCS and the amps?

I only mention these items as I used to have a DCS stack and tried with many different amp and speaker combos running the DCS direct. Never got quite the same results running direct as I did with running the DCS through a preamp. I only bring this up as a possible consideration if there is something you are finding is not just quite perfect with your system.

I like the all class-A Pass amps. Just sold an Aleph 5 which was/is designed as a SS class A SET based amp, per Nelson P.

Sorry for being a bit of topic but I hope you will not mind my little story.

A few months ago I have attended an Avantgarde demonstration. I had about 1-1.5 hours till the shop was closing and my plan was to listen first the UNOs and then the DUO Grosso speakers. The dealer was king enough to switch the Audio Note integrated initially used with an Accuphase E-560 class A integrated amplifier (I own the previous Accuphase class A integrated, i.e. the E-550). I was so blown away by the Accuphase E-560 – Avantgarde UNO combo that I could not stop the music and go upstairs to listen to the DUO Grosso – I had to listen all the material I brought with me.

Since the Accuphase E-560 integrated (and the E-550 too) deliver 30 class A watts into 8 ohms you may also want to consider these integrated amplifiers.

Good luck!

For the past five years, I've owned Avantgarde Duo Primos. Prior to that, I owned Avantgarde Duos for four years. During that time, I have owned or demoed many many amps with Avanatgarde loudspeakers. I'm currently running the First Watt M2 with Avantgarde Duo Primos. The sound is warm, engaging & very musical. Very tubelike. I have pretty much owned or demoed most of Nelson Pass's Class A lower powered offerings (Pass Aleph 3, Volksamp Aleph 30, First Watt Aleph J, First Watt F2, First Watt F3, Pass XA30.5 and First Watt M2). The M2 being the best of the bunch followed very closely by the First Watt F3. I think you should really focus on the First Watt offerings in lieu of the Pass XA30.5 with your Duos, as the First Watt amps seem to be tailor made and at home driving horn loudspeakers. Good luck and let us know what you end up with.

Thanks for all the responses and suggestions! Since I posted my question in april I have been auditioning these amps:

- Pass Labs XA30.5
- Cary CAD300SEI
- T+A V10
- Border Patrol SE300B
- First Watt F2
- EAR/Yoshino V20
- DOXA 62 (handbuild Norwegian solid-state amp)

All of them have been auditioned over at least a couple of days, some for weeks and even months. These are all great amps and a number of them could have been the first choice (including the XA30.5) - it's basicaly a matter of personal taste, sonic preferences and how well it performes in your system.

I went with the Border Patrol SE300B which in my system balances everything perfectly and simply creates magic with the Duo's!

Nice ! bet it sounds great Mohano. Enjoy !