Upgrade from Pass Labs X250.5 to XA100.5. Thoughts?
 

I'm the happy owner of a Pass Labs X250.5 amplifier, and lately have been considering ways to round out my system...

One path I'm considering is going to the XA100.5 monoblocks. They have less power than my X250.5, but the 200 W per channel I will get into my 4 ohms speaker will be in full Class A. Currently I'm getting about 15 W of Class A power from the X250.5.

This is how the dealer described what I might get out of each possible upgrade path. Any thoughts on these descriptions? The XA100.5s seem like the way to go...

"1) The X-250.5 to the X-350.5 will give you a bit greater ease, a little more bass, better bass-control, a little better imaging, greater smoothness and resolution. A worthwhile improvement and a sound that is similar to the X-250.5 with improvements.

2) The X-250.5 to XA-60.5 class-A mono’s, is a change which is in the same family of sound but more “class A sounding.” You’d hear much better imaging, greater effortlessness, a bit more laid-back and seductive sound, a bit smoother, a sound something like halfway between the X-250.5 and XA-100.5’s.

3) The X-250.5 to the XA-100.5’s is a dramatic change while still remaining in the Pass Labs house sound. The XA-100.5’s are extremely tube-like, very warm, very lush, very full and weighty, glorious mid-section with fantastic imaging, very emotionally-connected and seductive, totally non-fatiguing, less bass control and more tube-like bass, less detail on the top-end with a more tube-like top-end. A sound like the best of the “tube-sound” with better bass control, better detail, lower-noise, and no maintenance as tubes have."

After speaking with Mark at Reno HiFi he says that the X pass amps will image better than the XA amps, but the XA have all the other magic you described.

I really like Mark at Reno Hi-Fi. He seems like an outstanding man to do business with.

hallo Carlos,

I have too a Xp20 with a X250.5. sound fine. (B&W802di)
I replace the X250.5 with a XA100.5 ->Why? Why a B&W (or maybe a new speaker like Wilson) "need" power.

your speaker, is you are a Magnepan 20.7 or similar a XA60.5 is really enough!

The x250.5 to x350.5 not a sound improvement. sure give you "more" but not to say: "hey, my new powerampli paied $.6000? plus the x250.5 make me crazy!"

imho a Aresearch ref 5 with a pair Xa100.5 is one of the best combo that you can buy today (with this $$$).
The Xa60.5 are too very good but if in your future a new speaker (read Wilson,B&W,SFaber, Magico,....) go replace the Magnepan (o similar) they can be a little "small"....not very powerfull for your speaker and for your room too.

I have listen the Xa100.5 with a AR Ref 5se and Lansche 5.1 as speaker: amazing.

Carlos,

If you're looking for that tube magic but without tubey colorations and 200 watts is sufficient power, then I say go for it. I've always personally felt that the XA series produce a sound that gives the greatest emotional connection to the music. I've had my XA-100.5 monoblocks for three months and I couldn't be happier. They deliver everthing I had hoped for and a whole lot more. Mark at Reno Hifi told me that the XA-100.5 is the most tube-like sounding amp in the XA line. Be aware that they do produce a fair amount of heat and need plenty of space for ventilation.

Best of luck,
Ken

Thank you very much for your thoughts and advice, raidho and Ken.

Based on everything I'm hearing and reading, I think I will make the move to the XA100.5 (yes, 200 W per channel should be plenty of power for the 89 dB sensitivity panel dipoles)

I'm planning to keep my Magnepan 20.7s for a long time. Same thing with the Audio Research LS5 MkII, which I think works very well as a tubed line stage. I will let you know if the upgrade produces the promised results.

Don't forget the new Xs 150 and 300's. One of those might be an option.

Hi, Jim. You are right, the XS series is also an option, but not for me - too pricey and too big.

The XA100.5s are in the sweet spot considering my needs, wants and constraints :smoking:

Carlos
I can understand the "too big" and "pricey" parts. That is why MBL and Boulder gear (and now Xs) will never grace my room. For me the size of the Momentum amps is perfect and it doesn't hurt the sound as good as just about anything out there. :D

Hi Carlos,

with a couple of Xa100.5 you will be very happy for long long time.

with high end we "love" to change our equipment often but Passlabs is a very good choice for a lot of years.

Hard to find machines/gears that sound better.:thumbsup: