Three Cheers for Pass Labs


We all have complaints about customer service now and then, and when we do, we don't hesitate to voice our complaints. I have a positive experience that I would like to relay to Audiogon members. Last November, I bought a Pass Labs X250.5 amplifier from a fellow Audiogon member. When I received the amp, I used it for 4 days, and I was surprised and disappointed that the sound was not nearly as good as I was expecting. I chalked it up to a difference in tastes, and put it away, intending to sell it after the holidays. I did sell it to another member 2 weeks ago, and he too noticed that it did not sound good. He had long experience however with Threshold amps, and knew that it should sound better. He called Pass, and they guided himm through a simple test that showed that the bias settings were way out of whack. The buyer no longer wanted the amp and I refunded his money. However, I was told by Nelson and Kent at Pass Labs that if I shipped it to them, they would repair it at no charge. I want to add that the amp is out of warranty. I think that this is exceptional customer service, and I want everyone to know. I have had a similar experience with McIntosh, and I want to give a vote of support to all manufactureres who treat their customers in this way. Thanks!
128x128roxy54

Showing 2 responses by audphile1

Roxy54, that's sad, but let's hope that there were reasons that prevented the former owner to respond to you.
But if you never get anything back from him, I think that it's pretty safe to think that we have the answer, which would be that the most likely cause of the amplifier bias being out is the fact that previous owner had tempered with the amplifier settings for some reason. Oh well......

But on the positive side, I am pretty sure you will love the amplifier after it comes back to you from Pass.
It really is a stunning amplifier, both sonically and visually.

Best of luck!

Hi Roxy,
Thanks for sharing!
Great news that Pass Labs equipment owners are in good hands.

However, I was just curious, have you had a chance to as the fellow Audiogon member who sold YOU this amplief if any work or any "tweaking" was performed on this amplifier during its stay in his system and if not, then how it sounded? Has he noticed anything unusual?

Just wondering how is it that the bias settings on this ampifier were out of wack. Pass indicates in their literature the entire process of testing each amplifier before it is shipped and that involves checking bias.
It seems like the chances it left the factory with bias settings all screwed up are very slim.