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Pass Labs 20 Years and Counting

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  #11  
Old 02-28-2013, 04:20 PM
petrushka1975 petrushka1975 is offline
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I run my Sashas on a pair of X600.5s and I used to have the XA160s (the predecessor model of the XA160.5) and the XA30.5, for different speakers back then. I also had a chance to listen to the XA100.5s driving the Sashas at one point.

The characterization below is very accurate and is consistent with my own experience. The X.5 and the XA.5 sound similar but with slightly different strengths. The XA.5 has a darker, rounder and more liquidity midrange where as the X.5 sounds more dynamic, transparent and powerful. Personally I prefer the X.5 as I love how they sound for large orchestral works but would be just as happy if I had the XA.5.

Quote:
Originally Posted by mbovaird View Post
Hi jp,

I was able to hear the 60.5, 100.5, 160.5, 200.5 and the X600.5 in a demo. I found that the xa was a little smoother with a wonderful silky midrange. The xa series is very musical. Flowing beauty IMO. The xa amps are very tube like but with a faster bass and no tube hassles. It also seems to never run out of juice and the soundstage does not collapse unlike with some tube amps.

The X series on the other hand was quicker/faster, tighter bass and very dynamic. The midrange sounded a little more flat, but still with excellent space around it and a lovely air about it. The X series seemed to have better definition as well. Instruments were clearly more defined, whereas with the XA series, it presents more of a "whole picture" approach. Both amps are well balanced - very well balanced.

I would say it all comes down to your type of speakers and with Sasha's - you might prefer the X600.5's. I will admit, the speed, tight bass control and dynamics of the X600.5 is down right addictive!

It all comes down to whether you feel your speakers are a little dark sounding and need some energy put in them (X600.5 fits the bill here) or whether you feel you need to add some additional tube magic.

You already have the XA100.5's - so what is it about them you don't like?

After listening, I could have easily been happy with either the X600.5 or XA160.5.
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  #12  
Old 03-13-2013, 04:25 PM
raidho raidho is offline
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Hi,

I use a X250.5 and I search another ampli from my Raidho C 3.1:

a pair Xa100.5 or a X350.5? (preampli is a Xp20)

Thx raidho
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  #13  
Old 03-13-2013, 06:02 PM
raidho raidho is offline
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Hi,

I use a X250.5 but a couple of xa160.5 or xa100.5 to drive my Raidho 3.1 will be better..
maybe a x350.5 is too a good solution...

I dont need so much more watt but "electricity/Ampere"....

please a opinion!
thx raidho
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  #14  
Old 03-14-2013, 08:18 AM
mbovaird mbovaird is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by raidho View Post
Hi,

I use a X250.5 but a couple of xa160.5 or xa100.5 to drive my Raidho 3.1 will be better..
maybe a x350.5 is too a good solution...

I dont need so much more watt but "electricity/Ampere"....

please a opinion!
thx raidho
At 90db efficiency, I would recommend the XA100.5. It has a much more "tube like" mid range, while still delivering excellent dynamics and sweet highs. Bass is not as tight as the x350.5, but its still quite good.

Mike
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  #15  
Old 03-14-2013, 08:30 AM
Mikado463 Mikado463 is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jpspock View Post
Not for the moment. I hope that 2013 will give me the possibility to compare them. But I think that my preference would go to the XA as I love the XA100.5
JP, I understand your love of the XA, what I don't understand is why one one consider a change to another XA without at least dbl the power (unless I'm wrong the topology of the 100 and 160 are the same)
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  #16  
Old 03-14-2013, 08:34 AM
mbovaird mbovaird is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by raidho View Post
Hi,

I use a X250.5 but a couple of xa160.5 or xa100.5 to drive my Raidho 3.1 will be better..
maybe a x350.5 is too a good solution...

I dont need so much more watt but "electricity/Ampere"....

please a opinion!
thx raidho
I just saw your follow up post. If you can go for the XA160.5, definitely do it. It has a little more power, but it sounds much bigger (wider soundstage, deeper). But most importantly, the bass on the XA160.5 is tighter and faster than the XA100.5. The XA160.5 is also more balanced from top to bottom IMO than the XA100.5.

That being said, they are very close in sonic characteristics. But definitely go for the XA160.5.

Mike
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  #17  
Old 03-14-2013, 08:59 AM
raidho raidho is offline
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thank you Mike,

well the x350.5 from what I have read & opinion is not so good in sound performance like the 250.5! You have the same opinion?

combo xp20 & x250.5 with Raidho same track = 60dB, I had a B&W802d2 and with the same combo with 50dB I had the same sound/performance!

need a Raidho so much amplere = i a replace from the x250.5 with the monos Pass class A the right solution?

a Xa160.5 play 160watt all in pure class A? the xa100.5 will be not enough compared with the 250.5 for the power (with a Raidho or others speakers - B&W, Tidal, WilsonAudio, Focal....)???

A ampli from Mcintosh is the only one that I dont considere a "good investiment"!!! Mcintosh is not a good gear for me imho!!! = waste $$$ nothing more....

KR raidho
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  #18  
Old 03-14-2013, 09:03 AM
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jdandy jdandy is offline
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raidho.......Welcome to Audio Aficionado.
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  #19  
Old 03-14-2013, 12:00 PM
mbovaird mbovaird is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by raidho View Post
thank you Mike,

well the x350.5 from what I have read & opinion is not so good in sound performance like the 250.5! You have the same opinion?

combo xp20 & x250.5 with Raidho same track = 60dB, I had a B&W802d2 and with the same combo with 50dB I had the same sound/performance!

need a Raidho so much amplere = i a replace from the x250.5 with the monos Pass class A the right solution?

a Xa160.5 play 160watt all in pure class A? the xa100.5 will be not enough compared with the 250.5 for the power (with a Raidho or others speakers - B&W, Tidal, WilsonAudio, Focal....)???

A ampli from Mcintosh is the only one that I dont considere a "good investiment"!!! Mcintosh is not a good gear for me imho!!! = waste $$$ nothing more....

KR raidho
I demoed both the 250.5 and 350.5. I remember liking the 600.5 the best out of the X series. I don't remember enough about either the 250.5 or 350.5 to comment. But the XA series is a completely different animal. It has a beautiful robust midrange, sweet highs and good bass.

Mike

Last edited by mbovaird; 03-14-2013 at 12:32 PM.
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  #20  
Old 03-15-2013, 10:01 AM
Audioseduction Audioseduction is offline
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Class A passion.
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