Who has Pass point 8 amps? I'm thinking about XA60.8's for my Strads ...

And if 60.5's are okay for Strads I'm sure 60.8's would be fine. IME, and YMMV, I find lower wattage Pass class A offerings are sweeter sounding their bigger brothers.
 
kzhtoo said:
And if 60.5's are okay for Strads I'm sure 60.8's would be fine. IME, and YMMV, I find lower wattage Pass class A offerings are sweeter sounding their bigger brothers.
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That's where I started and planned on replacing the 60.5 with the 60.8. I know others recommend more power for the Strads, but I don't really play loud very often. I do realize since using my Bryston 28's, control of the Strads is phenomenal, and all in a great way.
 
Paul said:
Ken If you have to choose one ?

What do use on your D3 ?
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Hi Paul,

I sold my XA-100.8's and purchased Soulution 501 monoblocks to use with my D3. The 501's have amazing synergy with the D3 and it's all about system synergy. If you want to add tube-like warmth to your system, the XA-100.5 is the way to go. If your system already has some warmth, you need more current or more bass, the XA-100.8 is the way to go.

Best,
Ken
 
Three days ago, I received a pair of X-260.8's for trial demo, possibly replacing my Ayre MXR's. They are each plugged directly into a dedicated circuit, each with a Shunyata Typhon. I am very impressed, and while they only now have 72 hours run time, I doubt they are going back. A definite step up, with more authority, more solid bass, wider, deeper soundstage, and more air around instruments.
 
Hi Tom,

Any update on the Pass X260.8 amps? A friend and I were talking about the new stuff and I remembered your post. I am sooooo curious.

Thanks!
 
Hi Joe,

The Pass X260.8 amps are definitely keepers. They have the control and reserve power to handle my speakers with ease, and have bumped their performance up several notches, no small task as Sound Lab electrostatics panels are demanding. Considering they replaced Ayre MXR's, no slouches and considerably more expensive amps, they are a bargain. I only went class AB because I didn't want the heat/power consumption of the XA series, but I suspect someday I might reconsider, now knowing how great Pass amps are.
 
Tom,

Thank you so much. I appreciate the update.
 
MtnHam said:
Three days ago, I received a pair of X-260.8's for trial demo, possibly replacing my Ayre MXR's. They are each plugged directly into a dedicated circuit, each with a Shunyata Typhon. I am very impressed, and while they only now have 72 hours run time, I doubt they are going back. A definite step up, with more authority, more solid bass, wider, deeper soundstage, and more air around instruments.
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Hi Tom (aka MtnHam)

I am considering a Pass Labs X350.8 for my Vienna Acoustics Kiss speakers. Pre is a Cary SLP 05. My other option was for Ayre MX R's (non Twenty) for about the same price but the seller reneged on the deal. It is interesting that you think your X260.8's are even better than the MX R Twenty's of course in the context of your system. I am crossing my fingers because I have not heard the X350.8's but have heard the MX R's (non Twenty).

I like a sound that is warm with harmonic richness and tonal density but fast and with some bass slam. I found the MX R's to be slightly rolled off compared to the Krell amp I was using before but it was more musical for that as the Krell could sound bright on brass instruments. However, it lacked the visceral feel and slam of the Krell. I am hoping the X 350.8 will give me something in between, without a hot top end. Do you think I will get that? Your comments will be very helpful, given that you have had the better iteration of the MX R's and are now using the X260.8's.

Thanks

 
Hello Mike- My only experience with Pass Labs has been with the X260.8. I would imagine that the x350.8 would have similar characteristics. My MXR's are not the Twenty, only my KXR Twenty is the updated version, although it started out as a basic KXR, and I sent it in for the update. I considered doing so with the MXR's. but came to realize that they didn't have enough headroom to really handle the difficult load presented by my electrostatic panels. I was often running the volume control on the KXR at or near 50, the max, and sometimes having them overheat and go into protection. The Pass Lab x260.8's seem to have more oomph, and never run out of steam. I believe they are capable of delivering more current, which is what Sound Labs need. This has resulted in a more relaxed presentation, more solid bass, and more air around voices and instruments. The Ayre amps are rated at 300 watts, and the Pass Labs at 260, but I believe more current is available, and thus the ease. Furthermore, I believe they remain in Class A deeper into the music, with little Class B power being required, whereas the Ayre amps probably switch over to Class B sooner. If I could tolerate the heat, cost, and power consumption of a pure Class A Pass Lab amp, such as the XA200.8 ($42,000) I suspect I would be even happier.

If your speakers are more efficient than mine, then the Ayre MXR's might be a better choice, as they should be capable of bettering the X260.8, considering the relative prices (MXR/$19k vs. X260.8/$13,500.) Should you still have an interest in the MXR's, mine are available at $8900. I actually own two pair, and will be keeping the 2nd pair for my 2nd (city) system.

Hope that helps,
Tom
 
Hi

My apologies for misunderstanding that you had the MX R Twenty. I am in Asia and actually had a deal from the seller for a pair of MX R's for about $7k - unfortunately he reneged. I now have an offer on a used X 350.8 for about the same amount so I will probably go with that.

My speakers are about 89 dB but have a strange impedance curve with lots of dips so I wouldn't characterise them as being easy to drive but they wouldn't be as difficult as your electrostats I presume. i would have thought the Ayre's were a high current design and would have been able to handle yours too so I am surprised by your comments.

So overall, in your system, other than the headroom, how would you say the Ayre's fare vis-a-vis the Pass in terms of tonal character, especially the highs, body, imaging and soundstaging?

Which would have a warmer tone?

Thanks again
 
mikey8811 said:
Hi



My speakers are about 89 dB but have a strange impedance curve with lots of dips so I wouldn't characterise them as being easy to drive but they wouldn't be as difficult as your electrostats I presume. i would have thought the Ayre's were a high current design and would have been able to handle yours too so I am surprised by your comments.

So overall, in your system, other than the headroom, how would you say the Ayre's fare vis-a-vis the Pass in terms of tonal character, especially the highs, body, imaging and soundstaging?

Which would have a warmer tone?

Thanks again
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This is a very difficult question to answer because it has so much do with your speakers and system. In my system, the tonal character did not change, but everything just got better. I attribute this to the fact that the Pass amps took better control of the speakers, had more authority.
 
Is Pass labs (Especially the X260.8 ) sounds too warm ? Since I have couple of tube amps I do not need the amp that sounds too warm like a tube amps. Looking for a bass slam and bit more extension on high as well.
 
Paul said:
Is Pass labs (Especially the X260.8 ) sounds too warm ? Since I have couple of tube amps I do not need the amp that sounds too warm like a tube amps. Looking for a bass slam and bit more extension on high as well.
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Any one ? [emoji50]


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