Pass Labs:What to expect fm XA60.5 to XA100.5


Hi Guys,

Some of you may know that I have some buzz/hum issue in one of newly received XA60.5 mono blocks. The dealer diagnosed the problem and determined the transformer needs replacing. Since the XA60.5 is only few days old so I am given the chance to get a replacement set or I could top up the price difference to get the X350.5 or XA100.5s when my dealer gets their stocks in the next 3-4 weeks time.

Kudos to Pass Labs and the dealer's service for all the patience and after sales services...certainly very much appreciated and glad I go for Pass Labs.

As such, I have 3-4 weeks to listen to the current XA60.5 in my system while waiting for the stocks to arrive and make the final decision on the swap/upgrade.
elmerpoh
Some information:
Speaker : Von Schweikert Unifield II on 60cm stands
CD player : Bel Canto CD-2 as transport
DAC : Bel Canto 3.5VB
Preamp : Using the DAC pre amp at the moment

Room : Dedicated Audio room with no other furniture
Around 4meters by 3.5 meters sized room with speaker playing down the long side of the wall. Acoustically treated with absorbers at the sidewall for first reflection.

The front wall is treated with 2D diffuser and at the back of the Speaker with absorbers to control some of the bass.

Music I usually listen to:

10% Rock
30% Jazz
30% Vocals
30% Concerto (Classical music, Instrumental and Movie Soundtracks)

I normally listen at volume of between 70db to 80db max.

I was using the Bel Canto Ref 1000 MK 1 before the Pass Labs XA60.5.

The Pass Labs experience certainly is a very pleasant one. The leaner high and mids of the Class D certainly is now replaced with the liquid and lush high/mid that I appreciate and enjoy a lot. Not mentioning the musicality, natural, neutrality, transparency, PRAT (Pace Rhythm Attack Timing) and bigger soundstage also went up a few notches with the XA60.5. The usual Jazz and Vocals CDs I listened to previously on the Bel Canto Ref 1000s became so much more enjoyable. I could listen to these genres for hours and hours without knowing how fast the time passed and also without any fatigue. I really like the qualities of Class A amps.

However something seems to be missing when I listen to Rock and Concertos (Classical music, instrumental and Movie Soundtracks). It seems that the dynamism, speed and attack are not as fast paced and exciting as the Class D, other wise the others qualities are much superior in the Pass Labs.

The questions I have in mind which hope anyone who have experiences with the XA60.5, XA100.5, X350.5 and Bel Canto Ref 1000s(or any Class D amps) could comment/advise.

1) Any benefits in my listening experience(sonics, dynamism, low transients,etc) if I upgrade the XA60.5 to XA100.5?
Considering unchanged everything else (i.e.listening room, volume and music etc) as mentioned above.

2) I was told XA100.5 could be the amp I could be living with for a long long time even if I planned to upgrade to the VSA VR-4 SR MK3 or VR5 Anni in next 3-5 years if I get a bigger room for pure Audio usage.

3) Would the XA100.5 or the X350.5 be the missing puzzle of what I felt missing with the XA60.5 vs. Class D?

4) Would XA100.5 match the speed,imaging,instrument separations,soundstage and explosive feels vs. the X350.5 when listening to Rock and Concerto (Classical music, Instrumental and Movie Soundtracks)?

I do understand any comments/advise could be solely based on individual views and maybe subjective, however any inputs would greatly be very much appreciated.

Thank you all in advance.

Cheers



This is a little off topic, but I too am currently listening to a Class D integrated, a Jeff Rowland Concerto. It runs very cool and sounds very good to my ears. However I'm waiting on the arrival of my Maggie 1.7's and while the Rowland will certainly supply the muscle needed to drive the Maggie's, I've read how wonderful the Pass XA amps sound with them.

My room & listening preferences match yours. I'm wondering if your Pass XA 60.5's throw off a large amount of heat in your relatively small room? I live in Texas with VERY hot summers, but have a room with good air conditioning.

Good luck on you ultimate decision. From everything I've read about the Pass amps, I think a pair of XA 100.5's would be the way to go.
Hi Kenl,

Yes,The reviews are pretty much true, the Pass Labs XA indeed have magical mids and highs.. You need to hear them...

Regarding heat from the XAs, no issue since you have air conditioning in your listening room.

When I listen to few hours of music with the XA60.5 without air conditioning, they only run slightly hot to touch(I.e. could still touch the heat fins for about 8-10 secs).

Cheers