BAT VK-600 vs Pass XA100.5

Tvad- have you heard the VK600 to compare top ends?

impedance mismatch i thought would only be an issue on the bass, not on the top end.

07-09-10: Keithr
Tvad- have you heard the VK600 to compare top ends?

I have not had VK600 in my system.

impedance mismatch i thought would only be an issue on the bass, not on the top end.
Keithr (System | Threads | Answers | This Thread)

Not necessarily. Regardless, has any other owner commented about a rolled-off top end on XA-.5 series amps? I haven't found any, but I'm interested to read comments from XA-.5 owners who have experienced this (along with accompanying equipment).

Tvad, when I compare these two amps, input inpedance had nothing to do with it.

My main SS preamp is an H20 Fire, which has no problem driving the Pass.

My other SS preamp is a Parasound JC-2. I've used many other preamps with the Pass as well, including the Pass XP-20.

When I say 'rolled-off', I mean in comparison to other amps, i.e. the Pass is slightly darker sounding than my Bat, or other amps that I've owned (Theta Citadel 1.5 comes to mind). This is with solid state preamps, NOT tubes.

Yes, I tried a couple tube amps that were not good matches with the Pass (Ref 3, Audio Valve Eklipse), but that hardly means EVERY preamplifier I've tried has been a mismatch.

No amp does everything well. Pass amps are biased towards great midrange and in my humble opinion, aren't the last word in bass control.

Thanks Madfloyd for being specific about the preamps you used. I don't recall previously reading about these pairings.

I disagree completely with you on your comments about midrange, rolled-off treble and bass control pertaining to the XA-.5 series amps.

Those on the hunt can only hope your comments causes others to develop some audionervosa and dump their Pass Labs amps, thereby providing some buying opportunities. There's always a silver lining.

Well, I'm just saying what my ears are telling me, in my system, my room etc (although at least two other audiophiles agree that the Pass is warmer than the Bat in my system and that the Bat has better bass).

From what I read, Class A sound is warmer. For example, see keithr's post in this thread:
http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?aamps&1278694266&&&/Amps-in-the-same-class-as-Pass-XA-5-seri

Those on the hunt can buy mine which are for sale here on Audiogon. :-)