2. amps-preamps
  3. 172681-128566

Higher powered but efficient amp with the imaging of a Pass XA-25?

I had an XA-25 for a trial driving a pair of Spatial X5’s (97db efficiency). That combo produced imaging depth like I have never heard before or since. But my room is big at 25 x 25 feet and the Pass couldn’t cut it at reasonable levels (too noisy). Now the Spatials are gone, using KEF Reference 1 with Rowland 535 monos. The KEFs are NOT efficient (85 db) and require some real grunt from an amp.

Does anyone know of a high powered (200-500 W/C), high current, balanced amp that is reasonably efficient (unlike Pass) and which can produce the layered depth and finesse of the XA-25? I do not want to go all tubes in my power amps. Hybrid is OK.

I have ordered a tube preamp (Rogue RP-7) to replace my Benchmark LA4. I think that will help but I doubt it will get me all the way there.

Thanks in advance.

markmuse

Showing 1 response by cakyol

cakyol's avatar
cakyol
940 posts
 

XA25 is a great amp partly because it is a class A amplifier.

So, if you want efficiency, you have to move away from class A and also probably away from tube amps.

A best compromise may be other Pass Labs amps which are class AB.

X150.8 or X250.8 (both class AB), will come extremely close to the sound quality of the XA25, and still satisfy your your efficiency & power requirements.

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