AudioAficionado.org  

Go Back   AudioAficionado.org > Manufacturers Forums > Pass Labs

Pass Labs 20 Years and Counting

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 11-27-2012, 06:26 PM
joeinid joeinid is offline
Guest
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 8,386
Smile Pass XA160.5's or XA200.5's ??? ...

I predict the Pass Labs part of the forum will be seeing a lot of action in the coming weeks/months. I loved my XA100.5's but a fellow forum member will be enjoying them shortly. I would love the new Xs-150's but do not see that happening in the near future. C'mon power ball

This brings me to my question, has anyone directly compared the XA160.5's against the XA200.5's under similar conditions? Any info would be appreciated.
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 11-27-2012, 06:35 PM
vintage_tube's Avatar
vintage_tube vintage_tube is offline
Just Pure Lucky



 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: East Coast
Posts: 8,749
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by joeinid View Post
has anyone directly compared the XA160.5's against the XA200.5's under similar conditions?.
I don't think there has been Joe. Let us know when once you have 'em delivered & setup.

Best

Bob
__________________
Amps:VAC 450iQ Monos in Silver Flake on HRS M3X2-1921's, HRS G7 Footers/G-Links & Sound Anchor Conecoasters.
Preamp:VAC Master Preamplifier (Silver Flake)
Digital Source: dCS Rossini CD/SACD Transport, Vivaldi APEX DAC, Upsampler Plus & matching Clock (Silver)
Analogue Preamp:VAC Renaissance SE Phono stage in Silver Flake with XLR Output Option & with Nordost Valhalla XLR's.
Analogue Sources:SME 20/2 w/SME V arm & Nordost Valhalla TA cable, Palo Santos Presentation Cartridge & Akai GX-400D Reel-to-Reel w/relapped heads by JRF Magnetic Sciences. Akai RC-17 cabled remote (original owner since 1974).
Vibration Control:TT on HRS M3X2-1921 shelf.
Speakers:Wilson Audio Alexia in Argento Silver/Black grills sitting on Acoustic Diode Kit.
Power Cables:4 Nordost Odin Supreme Reference on amps, preamp & DAC. Ansuz Acoustics C2 on Transport & Clock.
Power Distribution Bar:Shunyata Everest 8000 w/Omega XC Power Cable.
Power Outlets:Furutech GTX-D NCF (R) duplex outlet, GTX Wall Plate & Duplex Cover (x2) on dedicated, same panel phase, 20A breakers.
Speaker Cables:3M Nordost Odin Supreme Reference on Nordost Sort Lifts.
Signal Cables:Nordost Odin XLR's on dCS DAC & Amps.
Digital Cables: Nordost Odin 2's, 110 ohm AES/EBU on dCS Transport to DAC.
Clock Cables:5 each 75 ohm 1.25M Nordost Valhalla BNC/BNC Digital
Ethernet Cable: WireWorld Platinum 1M Starlight® 8 Twinax
Headphones:Vintage Koss Pro IV AA.
RCM: Audio Desk PRO
Tube Test Gear:Mint late '60's/calibrated Heathkit TT-1A, MaxiMatcher Preamp & Space Tech Labs ATT-3.02 tube test sets.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 11-27-2012, 06:42 PM
joeinid joeinid is offline
Guest
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 8,386
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by vintage_tube View Post
I don't think there has been Joe. Let us know when once you have 'em delivered & setup.

Best

Bob
Roger that good buddy.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 11-27-2012, 07:54 PM
Ritmo Ritmo is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Florida
Posts: 4,053
Default

If I'm not mistaken, Mike (mbovaird) has. I'm sure he'll comment.
__________________
Mike
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 11-27-2012, 08:15 PM
mbovaird mbovaird is offline
Guest
 
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 2,445
Default

I heard the 30, 60, 100, 160, 200. To my ears, the 160.5's (which I bought and received today) were the most balanced and the most linear. The 60.5's were a very close second. I wanted to like the 200.5's and they were excellent, but my ears liked the 160.5's the best.

Full report to follow...
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 11-27-2012, 09:01 PM
joeinid joeinid is offline
Guest
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 8,386
Default

Thanks Mike. I appreciate the advice.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 11-28-2012, 02:22 PM
jpspock jpspock is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Brussels
Posts: 220
Default

As I asked on another post. What is the difference between the xa100.5 and the xa160.5?

Nice to read your answer
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 11-28-2012, 02:32 PM
mbovaird mbovaird is offline
Guest
 
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 2,445
Default

I heard both. The xa100.5's were a little sluggish in the bass to my ears. It wasn't quite as fast and tight. The xa160.5's have a nice balanced bass. Tight and fast. Keep in mind, that many folks out there love the 100.5's (as I'm sure you do). Both are excellent amps....but to my ears, the 160.5's were perfectly balanced from top to bottom.

To me, the 160.5's and 60.5's had a similar sonic signature.
Same for the 100.5's and 200.5's. Trust me, I wanted to like the 200.5's better - thinking the extra power would be better, but I didn't.

The key here, is that all four (and even the 30.5) are OUTSTANDING amps. We're getting pretty nit picky here.
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 11-28-2012, 07:54 PM
Anatta Anatta is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 191
Default

I think the XA160.5 are a much better value than the XA200.5 class A bias wise.

XA160.5 $22K/pair
XA200.5 $34k/pair

https://passlabs.com/articles/leaving-class-a

Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 11-28-2012, 08:56 PM
mbovaird mbovaird is offline
Guest
 
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 2,445
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Anatta View Post
I think the XA160.5 are a much better value than the XA200.5 class A bias wise.

XA160.5 $22K/pair
XA200.5 $34k/pair

https://passlabs.com/articles/leaving-class-a
That was interesting! Thanks for sharing. I tried to get the meters to move - no luck. My ears would have given out first!
Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

Audioaficionado.org tested by Norton Internet Security

All times are GMT -4. The time now is 08:18 AM.



Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.10
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
©Copyright 2009-2023 AudioAficionado.org.Privately owned, All Rights Reserved.
Audio Aficionado Sponsors
AudioAficionado Subscriber
AudioAficionado Subscriber
Inspire By Dennis Had
Inspire By Dennis Had
Harmonic Resolution Systems
Harmonic Resolution Systems
Wyred4Sound
Wyred4Sound
Dragonfire Acoustics
Dragonfire Acoustics
GIK Acoustics
GIK Acoustics
Esoteric
Esoteric
AC Infinity
AC Infinity
JL Audio
JL Audio
Add Powr
Add Powr
Accuphase - Soulution
Accuphase - Soulution
Audio by E
Audio by E
Canton
Canton
Bryston
Bryston
WireWorld Cables
WireWorld Cables
Stillpoints
Stillpoints
Bricasti Design
Bricasti Design
Furutech
Furutech
Shunyata Research
Shunyata Research
Legend Audio & Video
Legend Audio & Video