What are the weak points of Pass amps and pre-amps ?

I love Pass and used different mono amps and power amps of them in the last 8 years of time. I choose products based on their DNA. I think they created stunning amps and very good preamps. But I prefer their amps.

When you work by Tru-Fi you want to use all the aspects/properties of sound at the max. The 3-dimensional sound stage is an aspect/property of sound. I have compared many amps also regarding this part. We create a huge holographic stage thanks to the stage DNA of Pass Labs.

Pass Labs is also able to create a very deep, wide and high stage. Diversity in height we call a High-End ++ property. When an audio system can reveal the differences in height of both voices and instruments the harmonics change of a recording.

When we use amps who are not able to reveal diversity in height we always hear a much lower level in the layering of the sound. The limitation Pass Labs power amps and preamps both own is a limited level in the individual focus of instruments and voices. I had many conversations about this with Desmond Harrington (President of Pass Labs) and he was aware of this.

You can adapt it with cables and a source as well. But when we use preamps who own a superior level in intimate focus it becomes clear that it has a huge advantage. It creates a much more lifelike palpable image of voices and instruments.

That is why I want to do presentations with Conservatorium students at audio shows. To let people experience what intimate focus of voices and instruments is and does. After that, I will give a demo with a Tru-Fi system. So they will understand that it is just like in reality.

The first Pass Labs I bought were the XA-100.5 with an XP-20 in 2009. But later I preferred the X-series. I find out that using the right source and cables it has more advantages compared to the XA-series.

It has a little more space and details in the high frequencies. And I also prefer more control in the low frequencies with the X-series. When I bought Purist Audio Limited Edition power cables I became the same level in layering as the XA-series. But with more details and control.

At the end, I will go for the XS series. The extra current will be enough!

Go Bo Go. Nobody here know trufi like Bo. You are all inferior mortals with little mouse ears... admit it.

Hi heat - low driver control - not as dynamic at lower volumes as others - transparent but there are more transparent - but so well rounded and as a whole they are great but I do wish they grabbed ahold of the drivers a little better but that’s part of the give and take with the lush sound so it is what it is but still would like better control. I’ve owned Aleph 3, 5, J, 30, F2, F2J, J2, 150.5, 350.5, 250.8, 160.8 and prob few others I forget. They were all great. Best sounding - no doubt there - the F2J is best sounding - you just need the correct speaker for it but it’s so pure and perfect. If he could ever get that sound into 100watts he could charge what he wanted for it. 

Hmm.. California style...I mean Pass amps.