Pass Labs amps and Avantgarde speakers

For the past five years, I've owned Avantgarde Duo Primos. Prior to that, I owned Avantgarde Duos for four years. During that time, I have owned or demoed many many amps with Avanatgarde loudspeakers. I'm currently running the First Watt M2 with Avantgarde Duo Primos. The sound is warm, engaging & very musical. Very tubelike. I have pretty much owned or demoed most of Nelson Pass's Class A lower powered offerings (Pass Aleph 3, Volksamp Aleph 30, First Watt Aleph J, First Watt F2, First Watt F3, Pass XA30.5 and First Watt M2). The M2 being the best of the bunch followed very closely by the First Watt F3. I think you should really focus on the First Watt offerings in lieu of the Pass XA30.5 with your Duos, as the First Watt amps seem to be tailor made and at home driving horn loudspeakers. Good luck and let us know what you end up with.

Hi Mohano,

I purchased the First Watt M2 about 7 weeks ago. I believe it is by far the best sounding solid-state amplifier I've ever heard with my Avantgarde loudspeakers. It is so tube-like and musical that I find myself listening for many hours at a time. The M2 has really surprised me. Last week I had a couple of friends over to listen. Each of them have been in the hobby for 50 years and are huge tube gear lovers. They were shocked at how good & tube-like the M2 sounds in my system. They were very impressed with the M2 and could not get over at how good solid-state can sound. If you get a chance, try and demo the M2 and tell us what you think. Nelson Pass is a genius! Take it easy