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Pass Labs 20 Years and Counting

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  #31  
Old 03-26-2014, 03:19 PM
junker junker is offline
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From Pass:

What is the difference between the XA.5 and the X.5 amplifiers? The XA.5 amps are Class A (low rail voltage and high bias current) and the X.5 amps are high bias AB (high rail voltage and lower bias current).

Why Class A? Because it sounds better - pure and simple.

Why Class AB? More power - less heat.
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  #32  
Old 03-26-2014, 03:23 PM
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Technical Articles - Leaving Class A

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  #33  
Old 03-26-2014, 04:24 PM
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Thanks! Good read. I didn't understand some of it, but the essential parts penetrated far enough to help clarify things.

I sent Mark an email.
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  #34  
Old 03-26-2014, 04:49 PM
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Originally Posted by Pider View Post
Thanks! Good read. I didn't understand some of it, but the essential parts penetrated far enough to help clarify things.

I sent Mark an email.
+1 on dealing with Mark at Reno Hi-Fi. He'll take care of you.
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  #35  
Old 03-31-2014, 10:59 PM
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Does anyone know if you can run the int-30A as just a dedicated power amp?
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  #36  
Old 04-01-2014, 01:22 AM
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yes

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  #37  
Old 04-01-2014, 01:22 PM
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yes

Thanks Junker!!
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  #38  
Old 04-01-2014, 07:22 PM
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I'm not sure how that picture answers the question? In any case, the volume control on the INT30A can NOT be bypassed, all the inputs run through it. It CAN be used as a preamp, however.
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  #39  
Old 04-02-2014, 12:07 AM
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Good point. I had a quote from Nelson describing it essentially as a unity-gain class A jfet buffered with no negative feedback pre-amp section so to use it as an amp just set the volume to 64/64. I was answering as to that it could be used as a pre-amp. So really it can be used as either a pure pre-amp or amplifier. Thanks for the catch. It is truly a very flexible integrated.

But Pass also has a stereo 30wpc class-a amp for a little cheaper....I think $6k?

Last edited by junker; 04-02-2014 at 12:48 AM.
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  #40  
Old 04-02-2014, 09:48 AM
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What you say is basically correct but then begs the question; why? If you want a power amp get the XA30.5 or XA30.8, or the X150 equivalents. The beauty of the INT series is you can eliminate a preamp without the frequent sonic disadvantages of volume controlled solely by the source component; you also get multiple input capability
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