Ref 5SE with Pass Labs??

[Penthouse-D]

Hi folks, I have Pass Labs X600.5's which I like very much. I'm considering a Ref 5 SE. Most people that have the Pass ARC combo like it, but I've heard a possible input impedence issue. Thoughts??

[mbovaird]

What about the Pass xp-30? THAT would be the best! Joe is selling his now that he sold his Pass amp. You may want to reach out to him.

[Penthouse-D]

That's a very good suggestion. I had a XP-20 and was underwhelmed. I like the tube /SS combination. Thanks!

[mbovaird]

Hmmm....well, the Ref 5 SE is definitely the preferred pairing. Another option is to Mc it up! I'll be pairing my xa160.5's with my C1000c/t/p. I hope its a good match. On paper, it looks to be. Maybe a Mc 2300 or C500c/t?

The ONLY thing I read negative about the Ref 5 SE was that it needs lots of ventilation (on top). Some people stuck it in their rack and then complained that the top warped due to the heat.

If I was buying a new preamp today and was NOT considering Mc, then I would get the ARC Ref 5 SE FWIW. In fact, when I was so pissed off about the C1000 Controller, C1000T, MCD1100 issues, I was ready to dump the whole lot and started looking. The ARC Ref 5 SE was on the top of my list as a Preamp for my Pass amps. But now that my awesome dealer has made it all better, I'm staying in the Mc camp!

You must be loving those Q5's. Wow. Have you heard the xa series out of curiosity? I was completely blown away. There wasn't a bad one in the entire xa line up IMO. In fact, the little xa60.5 were awesome. My head was spinning with all the combinations those babies would work with. Elipsa SE's to start!

I wonder if a ModWright pre would work....Hmm....LS100 perhaps?

Mike

[tunes]

I used the ARC ref 5 (not se version) with pass xa100.5 amps and it was fantastic. I would recommend the pairing. I imagine the SE version would add a little more magic.

[Penthouse-D]

Well, I had it with a C500T. Wasn't bad. I'm just SO over Mc and their arrogance AND the QC and firmware update issues, I refuse to give them any more of my hard earned $$$$.

[microstrip]

AFAIK the editor of Toneaudio is using a REF5 SE with a Pass power amplifier with great success.

[metaphacts]

Originally Posted by microstrip

AFAIK the editor of Toneaudio is using a REF5 SE with a Pass power amplifier with great success.

Yes. Yes he is.

[Penthouse-D]

Looks good! Where's the Pass gear? lol

[metaphacts]

Originally Posted by Penthouse-D

Looks good! Where's the Pass gear? lol

Because we didn't know precisely where the Aidas would be placed, we put the Pass XA200.5s on either end of the sofa during set up. This pic was taken just after we had determined where the girls should be.