What speakers are you running with your Pass Labs XA 30.8?

Thanks for the suggestions!!!

The Tektons and Spatials have REALLY peaked my interest.

The Tektons look VERY similar to speakers I am using now. They are custom built...By Me! I worked at a speaker shop for over a decade, so I know the ins and out of speaker building. The Tektons look close cabinet wise, but that crazy tweeter arrangement must be its secret sauce. Also reassures me that mine will sound very good with the new PASS until I do the speaker upgrade.

The Spatials also are crazy to me. Open baffle just does not compute for an old time speaker guy like me. But, looking them up on line, people absolutely LOVE them for their lower wattage amps. Plus, a 60 day trial and 20 year warranty....WTH!!! The newer M3 Triode Masters look pretty awesome. When I get there, gonna have to give these guys a shot.

I have also noticed that High Fidelity Cables (HFC) is also now selling an open baffle speaker. MUCH more expensive and way out of my league, but there must be something to this approach. 

Originally, I wanted to go with the Vandersteen TREO CT's. They just tick all the boxes for my room and what I am looking for in a speaker. But, with the XA 30.8, I don't think they will get the chance to sing like they should. 6 ohm, but 86db sensitivity. Don't think they will get to stay within the 61 watts of Class A. I could be wrong... 

I am very happy to see you write that! As I said, the TREO's check all the boxes for my room. And to KNOW that they can "sing" with the XA 30.8 makes me very happy. I don't listen very loud either. My room is just to small for it. 

Thank you for letting me be reassured that my pick will work.

If you don't mind, a question...

Are you using RCA or XLR into the 30.8?

doni...

This is just too coincidental...

I am waiting for my brand new PS Audio DSD sr. I will be going direct from it to the XA 30.8 via XLR. (HFC CT-2's)

You are running almost the exact same setup that I will have! Very Cool!

Did you see much of a drop off in sound quality when you took out the preamp?

I was planning on getting a Pass XP-12 down the road, but really want to hear it without a preamp first. Plus, just do not have the funds right now...

Would love to hear your impressions of your setup with and without the preamp....

Forgive me for prying if I am... 

Doni...

That is also great to hear. Both of the PS Audio DAC's were built to run without a preamp. 

In reading on the PS Audio forums, 98% of the people LOVE Snowmass. It has it's quirks, as everything does, but for the most part they love it. It will be installed on mine when I get it.

Thank you for taking the time to talk to me about this. Always good to know that someone has taken the route you are about to take, and loves it!

Thanks Doni!

Snopro...

Thank you for the offer. I am wanting to buy the XA 30.8 new. I also have a PS Audio DSD sr. on the way.

With the responses I am getting from you and Doni and others, it sounds like I will be able to get the Vandy TREO's and have no problem running them. 

Thanks everyone for your feedback on this. 

Hey Doni...Just wondering if you are still following this thread...

I got my Directstream DSD and the Pass XA30.8. Just put in the 30.8 in last night.

Since you have almost the exact same setup, and are using XLR's between DAC and AMP, I was just wondering...

On your DSD Jr., are you using the high gain or the low gain going to the AMP?

Thanks for the reply Doni...

I started out on high gain, but it had a lot of "hiss" in the background. Coming from a Devialet which has absolutely NONE, I kinda freaked out a little. I put it on low gain, but had to turn it up to about 90 for regular listening. I thought that would be an issue sound wise, but it is not.

Now that the 30.8 and my XLR's are getting some needed break in time, now I am down to 80 almost being to loud!! They both need a couple weeks to get settled in, but it is already making me close my eyes and smile with how beautiful the sound is. And it is only going to get better!!!

So, since I have your ear...

Are you using USB input? If so, what USB cable are you using?