Mcintosh mc601 vs Pass Labs XA 100.8

Pass 100.8 is much better better bass definition, more dynamic,better stage width and depth.

Sorry if you've already read this in some other posts, but I have some experience comparing these two brands (but not the models, so YMMV). I compared the MC402 to Pass Labs x250.5 and xa30.5. On my Thiel 2.4s the Pass amps easily outclassed the similarly priced Mcintosh. The 402 had been used by the previous owners of my 2.4s, and he'd loved it, so it could be enjoyable, but both Pass amps had more of everything Bo mentioned. I eventually settled on the XA model, as it was the more natural of the two Pass amps on my speakers.

too bad the dynaudios aren't bi-ampable. you would put the Macs on the bass and the Pass Labs on the mids/highs.

Bi-amping with different amps is not that easy to get it perfectly ballanced. I would not go for that.

I invite many of my clients to take a listen to my set at home. Because this is the easiest way to explain all different parts which need to be there for the absolute sound. In most situations there is always a part missing. So I invite them so that they can listen wha is missing. This works very effective.

Audio is my world, and I test on and on. It never stops. You need to test every single tool separately. You need to know each property it owns. For me it is very easy to understand the difference between a Mcintosh and Pass labs. I cab get all properties out of a Pass labs amp. I can garantee you that I can outperform any Mcintosch with it. Even for free I would not want a Mcintosh. Most people here at Audiogon do not have this level of insight. So I understand why the buy a Mcintosh.

When people of audioshops would be able to get all properties out of a Pass Labs amp they would sell a lot less Mcintosh amps. It depends on the right focus and knowledge!!

I give you another example. The fist Pass labs set I bought was the XA-100.5 and XP-20. At that time I prefered the XA series far over the X series. Here at Audiogon most people also prefer the XA series. And I understand.

But.....when I receieved teh Purist Audio Limited powercable my thoughts changed. Because with these powercables I can create a better endresult than with a XA poweramp.

Why? The Limited gives you a superior open and musical mid freq. compared to other powercables. It is like your X series ampo sounds like a XA amp. Beside this there is more air in the high freq. And you have more drive and speed, also at low volume levels. These parts togheter give me a better endresult. At the end the endresult counts most. Audio is all about focus and using the properties of a tool to the max!