Pass Labs X250 - Good Match for my Apogee Stages?

Loveitloud,

Can the Stages be biamped? I'm thinking ss for the bottom and tubes on top but you may want to keep it simple.

Loveitloud,

I can also vouch for the Aragon 4004MKII being a low cost solution for your Stages. I use my 4004 to drive low efficiency (89db)planars and it drives them with ease and the combo sounds very good.
I agree with Jeffjazz, though, that mating it with a tubed pre is a good idea and a very good match (I use a VTL 2.5 with NOS Mullards) and this added the depth, texture and presence I was looking for. With a ss pre it sounds leaner and more sterile but has very good resolution and bass response regardless of the pre type.
Cwlondon said he left his Aragon on 24/7 for 8 years and it never missed a beat. Mine's been running 24/7 as well for the past 5 years with the same result.
As to your question on price, these amps are no longer made (was replaced by the 8008 model in '95 I think) but it listed new for about $1800 when it was built back in the 90's. I paid about half that 5 years ago so you should be able to get a nice one used for no more than $900. probably less. Its an older amp (1994?) but its built like the proverbial tank, is very durable and sounds more expensive.

OTOH, I think a Pass amp would improve the sound of almost any system but they are high priced. Sorry, I've never tried a Pass amp so I can't say if the extra $$ is worth it. Good luck.