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Disappointment with Pass Labs - I'm looking for something else

Hello, I am new to this forum and my mother tongue is not English, so please forgive me if I make mistakes as I use a translator.

I recently bought an XA30.8 and an XP12. I was very happy but as time went by I began to not feel comfortable with the sound.
After doing many tests, I find that the XA30.8 sounds very very sweet but actually too much. I find it to be a loosely defined amp, somewhat muddy and lacks a lot of air and grip. The soundstage is very closed.

The XP-12 is the worst of the two. It is a previous that removes a lot of resolution and information, without transient attacks and sunken mid frequencies. Instead it brings warmth.

Has anyone of you found the same?

If you ask me, I have a Klipsch Cornwall and a dCS BArtok.

Now I want a capable amp, forceful, something warm, decisive, airy and with a great soundstage.

At first I thought of changing my XA30.8 for X250.8, and changing the XP-12 for a second-hand Audio Research Ref5. I am afraid of this change and continue with Pass, since I can go back to the same thing a bit.

On the other hand I have thought of going for a Luxman 900 combo, since it has very good reviews and from what I have read it could be the winning ticket.
opm

Showing 2 responses by geof3

geof3
1,118 posts
 
I agree with some of the above, the problem isn’t Pass, it’s the synergy with the rest of your gear. Several reviews mention though the XA30.8 to be similar to your description, and in head to head reviews, the XA25 wins in most areas. It also hits way above its rated output. Having said that, Pass amps do have a character all their own, the .5’s the .8s and now the XA25 all have their own characteristics. Here is an excellent paper on where Nelson is leaning these days... the XA25 is mentioned.

https://www.firstwatt.com/pdf/art_the_square_law.pdf
geof3
1,118 posts
 
@hifi59 ugh… zombie thread. Most Pass amp amps “don’t measure well” they aren’t designed to “measure well”. They are designed to sound good. Read Nelson’s take on this on the website.
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