Xa30.8
 

Tomorrow I think I going to lay down a deposit on the 30.8 had Mac gear had Accuphase going to pass 30.8 will get the xp10 later running so us faber Cremona M and Sony HAP Z1es I hope this time i stay happy a bit longer

The Accuphase integrated was definitely under powered and not up to the level of your speakers.

Why have you not been happy with the McIntosh gear?

The XA30.8 is a beautiful sounding amp. It had a great synergy with ARC Ref 5SE when I had them paired together.

I just upgraded from the Pass XA30.5 to the XA30.8. I'm using a Tortuga Audio passive LDR preamp. The 30.5 is highly regarded, but the 30.8 is IMHO vastly superior - better bass, resolution and soundstaging. Some may prefer the 30.5 due to the lush musicalness of the amp, but i prefer the accurate presentation of the music. For the money I don't know what can better the 30.8, especially if you can find a deal on a used unit.

Listened to the XA160.8 today with XP20, what a fantastic combination!!

Paul would you be upgrading from a MC452 to the PASS amp? I'm also interested in why as I have been thinking about the same move but from a smaller MAC (MA5200). My other choice is a bigger MAC.

The Mc452 was a great amp mated to the C2300. It was a great sound and I made a mistake selling it to go to an Accuphase e470. I never heard Pass labs till one day In an audio store walking past a audio room and I thought wow what's that sound went in And sat for two hours just listening to music. Didn't think about the bass being this or that ,or mids to much not enough or the top end this and that . Just enjoyed. So I put down a deposit and looking forward to listening to music again. Compared to the McIntosh gear I feel pass is better refined and and so so easy to listen to for long periods and for me that's what it's about I listen for two to three hours at a time with. With the E470 I could not. The Accuphase use to be fatiguing after 30mins. Also I always felt that the Mac gear was a bit noisey. Just my view might be a class A thing I went back three times before I bought it just to make sure. The journey continues!!

I agree with you about Mac
I have the MC150 and prefer my Pass Aleph
I have had older Accuphase demoed at my house and didnt like it as much as my Pass too
But I have yet to get the E470 or A series in my house , I had been planning on getting Accuphase
I will reconsider and see if I can try out the new Pass .8
Demoing in-store is so much different then sitting in my house and listening to gear for days on end

The XA30.8 is a great unit. I have the itch for the xa100.8 or xa160.8.

What would you use as the preamp?

For now my onkyo receiver saving for the XP20 they say it's very quiet and matches well of coarse with great bass response