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 verdantaudio

verdantaudio's avatar
verdantaudio
1,460 posts
 

If you are looking for more power and the warmth and sweetness of Pass, I would suggest AVM.  They use a MOSFET output stage that is brilliant and offers the kind of textured sound you are looking for rather than the hyperdetailed cleanliness of a Class D.  

The AVM Ovation SA 6.3 will give you 225w of power and is a brilliant match for those Kefs at $10.5K.  

You can get a lot more power out of the Ovation 8.3 line and it has a tube input stage that uses ECC83s but it is much pricier with the 450w SA8.3 at $20K.

Another brilliant alternative is Bricasti but to get the power output you are looking for you would need to look at their monos which are $30K and $33K respectively. 

I am a dealer for both of these brands so I am undeniably biased but I do think they will work for you and resolve your problem.  

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