AudioAficionado.org  

Go Back   AudioAficionado.org > Manufacturers Forums > Pass Labs

Pass Labs 20 Years and Counting

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 09-18-2018, 01:06 AM
RichW RichW is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2016
Posts: 20
Default Any Pass X250.8 owners out here?

I am getting ready to make some upgrades to the system. I currently running a DAC into a BAT51SE, then a Pass Labs XA30.8, then finally into Decware DM947 speakers (don't worry if you've never heard of them; not the last word in speakers, but have been doing a solid job for about 5 years now.)

I am contemplating moving up the Pass Labs amplifier line, and the X250.8 looks attractive. I would like to hear more bass authority and definition, but I don't really want to sacrifice the mids and highs of the 30.8.

I would love to hear some of your impressions of the X250.8, especially if you are able to make some direct comparisons to the XA30.8. I've spoken with both Mark at Reno Hifi, and Kent English of Pass Labs; both are wonderful and informative people. What I am interested in now is the opinions and experiences of end users of either of these amps.

Thanks!
__________________
Oppo 103; PS Audio PWD Mk II; Decware ZStage; Pass Labs XA30.8; Decware DM947
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 09-18-2018, 10:53 AM
boilerkj boilerkj is offline
Guest
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Milwaukee, WI
Posts: 100
Default

Looks like the DM947 is an active/passive combo. If you're only powering the bookshelf portion (extremely efficient) with the XA30.8, I'm not sure you stand much to gain moving to the X250.8.

If the entire set up is passive, then you might benefit from the extra power. Kent @ Pass is excellent and will guide you well.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 09-18-2018, 12:09 PM
RichW RichW is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2016
Posts: 20
Default

@boilerkj the DM947 is a bookshelf with a stand that acts like a bass horn. It is relatively efficient, and definitely not active.

Just looking for some users with experience with both these amps.
__________________
Oppo 103; PS Audio PWD Mk II; Decware ZStage; Pass Labs XA30.8; Decware DM947
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 09-18-2018, 02:06 PM
Mikado463 Mikado463 is offline
Guest
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: SE Pa
Posts: 3,925
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by RichW View Post

Just looking for some users with experience with both these amps.
my only experience was short lived with the X250.8, great 'amp' but in the end I preferred it's mono block cousin(s), the X260.8 mono blocks. If you're used to the Class A bias of the XA amps remember, the X260.8's have more initial bias into Class A that any of the other X series amps, save the '650'.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 09-18-2018, 06:35 PM
aardvarkbark aardvarkbark is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 643
Default

I haven't heard either, but I have the INT-250. You'll have to have Kent explain how or whether one may extrapolate from INT-250 feedback to that for X250.8. I listen to B&W 803 D2s. I hear very solid, well defined bass, and am not aware of any missing mid or high frequencies. Mostly classical and acoustic jazz. I sense a fairly authentic concert hall sound.

I didn't buy from Mark, but I understand he has a fairly reasonable 'try it before you buy it' program.

I must add that for me, there is comfort in knowing that a company stands behind their products and are there to respond. Kent English provides just such comfort, as you must know.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 09-25-2019, 02:46 PM
parsifalcor parsifalcor is offline
Guest
 
Join Date: May 2017
Location: NYC, NY
Posts: 61
Default

I JUST pulled the trigger on an X250.8 and am absolutely floored by the level of performance. You won't regret it!
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 10-04-2019, 02:59 PM
JoeN's Avatar
JoeN JoeN is online now
TechDAS AF 1 & Vitus MP
 
Join Date: Oct 2019
Location: Florida
Posts: 879
Default

New here. I haven’t heard the Pass X250.8, but am interested in how they sound with Magico A3s. Going in app. a week to listen to some... . I can post my impressions when I return.
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 10-04-2019, 04:47 PM
Masterlu's Avatar
Masterlu Masterlu is online now
AA Founder, Legend AV Owner



 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: South FL & Cape Cod MA
Posts: 78,484
Default

JoeN... Welcome to AA!
__________________
Ivan
FLORIDA
MX136, MC1.2KW(10) MC2KW(2), MCD1100, MS750(2) MVP881, C1000C/P/T, MPC1500, HT-2 SUBS(2) HT3F(2) WS350(2) XRT2K, XCS2K, XR27(2) XCS350(2) JL GOTHAM v2 SUBS(2) SILENZIO MUSIC SERVER, LUMAGEN RADIANCE SCALER, SONY VPH-G90U 4K PROJECTOR, STEWART 120" MOTORIZED SCREEN, CINEMA-TECH SEATING, WW PLATINUM CABLES
Reference System: ACCUPHASE A300 AMPS, C3900 PRE-AMP, DP1000 CD/SACD TRANSPORT, DC1000 DIGITAL PROCESSOR, DG-68 DIGITAL EQUALIZER, T1200 FM STEREO TUNER, PS1230 POWER SUPPLY, HRS-SXR CUSTOM RACK w/ M3X SHELVES, TAD REFERENCE ONE MK2 LOUDSPEAKERS, WW PLATINUM CABLES
CAPE COD

MX150, MC501(2) MC1.2KW(10) MC2301(2) MR88, MVP881, MCD1100, MDA1000, C1000C/P/T, MPC1500, ESOTERIC K-01X 30th ANNIVERSARY (BLACK) SACD/CD PLAYER, G02-X CLOCK, HT3F(2) XRT2K, XCS2K, XR27(2) JL GOTHAM v2 SUBS(2) JL FATHOM F113v2 SUBS(4) SOUND ANCHOR STANDS(2) KALEIDESCAPE STRATO & TERRA SERVERS 80-TB, LUMAGEN RADIANCE SCALER, SONY VPH-G90U 4K PROJECTOR, STEWART 120" SCREEN, SONUS FABER STRADIVARI, SILENZIO MUSIC SERVER, FORTRESS SEATING, WW PLATINUM CABLES
Analog Rig: CLEARAUDIO INNOVATION WOOD, UNIVERSAL ARM w/ Da VINCI' CART, 2nd UNIVERSAL ARM w/ GOLDFINGER STATEMENT CART, HRS-MXR REFERENCE RACK-GLOSS BLACK w/ M3X SHELVES, AESTHETIX RHEA SIG PHONO-PRE, BRYSTON BHA-1 HEADPHONE AMP, WW PLATINUM CABLES
Reference System: BURMESTER 911MK3 AMP(3), 088 PRE-AMP, 089 CD PLAYER, 100 PHONO PRE-AMP, 948 POWER CONDITIONER, ACCUPHASE DG-68 VOICING EQUALIZER, AVID ACUTUS REFERENCE SP TT, GRAHAM PHANTOM II SUPREME ARM, BENZ MICRO LP-S CART, GRANDIOSO P1X/D1X STACK, G1X RUBIDIUM MASTER CLOCK, N05 NETWORK PLAYER, SILENZIO MUSIC SERVER, HRS-SXR CUSTOM RACK w/ M3X SHELVES, SONUS FABER AIDA SPEAKERS, JL FATHOM F113v2 SUBS(2) SOUND ANCHOR STANDS(2) WW PLATINUM CABLES

Library System: GRANDIOSO M1 MONOBLOCK AMPS, C1 LINESTAGE PRE-AMP, K1X CD/SACD PLAYER, G1 MASTER RUBIDIUM CLOCK, E02 PHONO-PRE, SILENZIO MUSIC SERVER, AERIAL ACOUSTICS 20T V2, AERIAL SW12 SUBS(2), CANTON REF K1’s, VPI HRX TT w/ SDS POWER SUPPLY, ORTOFON CADENZA BLACK CART, KLAUDIO RCM, SHUNYATA DENALI 6000/S v2, SHUNYATA OMEGA QR’s, WW PLATINUM CABLES
Esoteric/Bryston System: ESOTERIC C02-X PRE-AMP, P-02X TRANSPORT, D02-X DAC, G02-X CLOCK, BRYSTON 28B3 CUBED MONOBLOCK AMPS(4), BRYSTON BHA-1 HEADPHONE AMP, SHUNYATA DENALI 6000/S v2(2) EVEREST 8000 POWER CONDITIONER(2) ALTAIRA CG & SG HUBS, AMR-DP777-SE DAC, SILENZIO MUSIC SERVER, TAD REFERENCE ONE MK2 LOUDSPEAKERS, QUADRASPIRE RACK, WW PLATINUM CABLES
Accuphase/Canton System: ACCUPHASE E800 INTEGRATED, DP570 CD/SACD PLAYER, T1200 FM STEREO TUNER, DG-68 VOICING EQUALIZER, PS530 POWER SUPPLY, CANTON REF K3’s, CANTON REF K5’s, SILENZIO MUSIC SERVER, HRS MXR REFERENCE MAHOGHANY RACK w/ M3X2 SHELVES, WW GOLD CABLES
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 10-04-2019, 05:04 PM
JoeN's Avatar
JoeN JoeN is online now
TechDAS AF 1 & Vitus MP
 
Join Date: Oct 2019
Location: Florida
Posts: 879
Default

Thanks Masterlu. Appreciate the welcome.
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 10-05-2019, 07:15 AM
daveneumann's Avatar
daveneumann daveneumann is offline
Senior Member

 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Louisville KY
Posts: 345
Default

I love my X260.8 amps. They are a nice step up from the X250.8 stereo amp. As a long time tube amp owner, I don't feel like I'm missing anything. They are a great match for my Strads.

Dave
__________________
SF Stradivari, Aric Audio Motherlode XL preamp and Super KT Parallel amps; Pass XP 27, Raven One TT, Graham Phantom II arm, Lyra Etna Lamda, Airtight PC1, Bryston 3.14 DAC, Transparent Reference & Wireworld, dedicated treated room 17 X 34 X 9
Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

Audioaficionado.org tested by Norton Internet Security

All times are GMT -4. The time now is 02:04 PM.



Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.10
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
©Copyright 2009-2023 AudioAficionado.org.Privately owned, All Rights Reserved.
Audio Aficionado Sponsors
AudioAficionado Subscriber
AudioAficionado Subscriber
Inspire By Dennis Had
Inspire By Dennis Had
Harmonic Resolution Systems
Harmonic Resolution Systems
Wyred4Sound
Wyred4Sound
Dragonfire Acoustics
Dragonfire Acoustics
GIK Acoustics
GIK Acoustics
Esoteric
Esoteric
AC Infinity
AC Infinity
JL Audio
JL Audio
Add Powr
Add Powr
Accuphase - Soulution
Accuphase - Soulution
Audio by E
Audio by E
Canton
Canton
Bryston
Bryston
WireWorld Cables
WireWorld Cables
Stillpoints
Stillpoints
Bricasti Design
Bricasti Design
Furutech
Furutech
Shunyata Research
Shunyata Research
Legend Audio & Video
Legend Audio & Video