Review: Pass Labs X350.5 Amplifier


Category: Amplifiers

Since all the information has been provided about what the overall system is, I would also like to share that I predominantly listen to jazz and acoustic music.

I had the EDGE NL10 in the system for approximately two years. It had replaced Pass Labs Aleph-1 Monoblocks. There was no doubt that the NL10 was more transparent, detailed, and extended on both the top and bottom compared to my older monoblocks.

I like to use the analogy of different flavors of kinesthetic fibers or materials to describe tonal aspects or timbers of different amplifiers. The Aleph1's were smooth and "velvety" while the NL10 was smooth and "silky." However, because of the significant improvement in such areas as transparency, details, and sound staging, the NL10 was a vast improvement compared to the Alephs in my system.

Fast forward to the present:
I was not dissatisfied with the sound of my system, but I was very curious about what the new Pass Labs X350.5 amp would sound like in comparison to the NL10. I would like to mention that historically, I had auditioned the original Pass Labs X series amplifier and found it to be very detailed, transparent, and dynamic, but not as organic or musical compared to the Pass Labs Alephs. Therefore, I did not pursue purchasing a Pass Labs X amp for this reason.

However, reading what Nelson Pass was going to do in the new .5 generation of amps and talking to Kent and Peter at Pass Labs, whom I believe are quite honest about the sound of their own products, I was quite curious to see if they had really been able to take the musicality, velvety, and organic nature of the Aleph series and combine it with the transparency, dynamics and ultimate power of the original X series.

So here it is. The X350.5 amp is the best amplifier that I have ever auditioned in my own system. It truly has a tremendous ability of being transparent, detailed, and yet at the same time has the attributes of what is often called musicality and natural timbers. I want to be quite clear that I still consider the NL10 a world class amplifier which I enjoyed tremendously. However, the Pass Labs X350.5 has all the virtues that the NL10 offers but in addition, it has that special "organic sense" or offers more of a real sense of live music.

Another aspect that I found amazing about the X350.5 was that the sound stage increased in width and depth along with having more of a sense of three-dimensionality or air around each individual performer. The NL10 was no slouch in this area, but in comparison to the X350.5, the NL10 came in a distant second.

I know I have used language in this review that is somewhat subjective compared to some of the analytical statements I shared, but I hope that they made sense in trying to convey how natural, velvety, and real the timbers and the sonic signature of the X350.5 really is. The NL10 is a wonderful amplifier, but for me, it fell on the spectrum of smooth and silky versus smooth and velvety.

As a final note, the X350.5 sounded close to what it sounds now after 600 hours of burn in. Of course, I let it warm up for at least 8-10 hours before I seriously audition it. But the performance was very close to what I am experiencing now after what I would consider a total burn in. My system, including the X350.5, is never turned off so it is always operating at its ultimate level any time I choose to listen to music. There are many fine amps at this cost level. I recommend you listen to as many as you can including the Pass Labs X350.5 not just because it is competitive with the others, but you might find it as special as I do in my system.

Associated gear
The Pass Labs X350.5 amplifier is a replacement for an EDGE NL10. The total system is composed of:
1. Digital Front End - Transport and DAC both ENSEMBLE.
2. PLACETTE Active Line Stage into a Byrston Electronic Cross Over.
3. Since I Bi-Amp, the Woofer Amps are Threshold SA1 Monoblocks. The Amp is the new Pass Labs X350.5 powering the midrange and ribbon tweeters.
4. The speakers are MG20's.
5. A combination of Acoustic Zen Silver Reference II and Matrix Reference II with a double run of Satori speaker wires.
6. Digital Front End is connected to the ENSEMBLE duo isolink transformer along with Richard Gray power conditioners for the back end of the system. All power cords are Harmonic Studio Masters.

Similar products
EDGE NL10
teajay
Thanks for the review (the comparison to the original Alpha Series was key)! Awesome system synergy! The Placette Active is an amazingly overlooked component that is OUSTANDING! Wish I had the large room for 20.1's.. it was a hard decision before I bought my Wilson's.
Greta review. I have owned many tube and solid state amps in my time, and the X350.5 I have owned for several months now, has far exceeded my expectations. It takes a long time to burn in and come into it's won, but when it does, WOW. It truly does everything you described. I feel for the first time that an amp isn't three and I am hearing exactly what is on the software. Another upside, it doesn't seem to take much warm up to be at peak performance. Additionally, I find the midrange incredibly palpable for solid state. No grain or listener fatigue what so ever.

Richard
Now I want to try one. I had prefered the 350 to the 250 because I found it more laid back and gentle sounding. However I still felt it was a bit too clean and percise for my liking. I know that should be a good thing... but I like some extra musicality and richness instead of a lean towards sterile perfection if that makes any sense. I wonder how it compares to a accuphase A-50V which is the other amp I've been considering as a possible replacement to my beautiful tubes.

Though giving the granite 860's up might just not be possible for me. They're excellent. Just perhaps a little under powered for my rather big speaker when I run them in Triode. Plus I'd like to finish off my balanced connections instead of going single ended.

Regardless, I totally do not appreciate you making this amp sound so appealing : )

~S
I have been an audiophile for over 35 years. My first system was a tubed receiver and through the years I have owned dozens of combinations of high end preamps and poweramps. For the last several years I have mostly owned both tube and solid-state power amps driven by An Audio Research Ref 2 mK 1. MY most recent tube amps include an Audio Research Vt-200 and a pair of BAT VK-60s. The speakers are Dunlavy SC-4a and the speaker cables are Audio Note Lexus. (They are wonderful). My last two solid-state amplifiers prior to the X350.5 were the ML-333 and the X350. I normally would switch between the two types of amplification depending on the listening material. I listened mostly to the tube amps because of their sweetness and their musicality. I found the X350 amp to be much more enjoyable than the ML-333 because of the size of the sound stage and the wonderful way it played acoustic guitar. I have now been listening my new X350 for four days ( 35 hours) after the initial 10 hour burn in driven by a Classe SSP-75. It is an amazing amp indeed. I have very varied tastes in music. I listen to everything from Wagner to the Eagles and I enjoy it all. Listening to Wagner's " Die Walkure" is an experience that could make any audiophile, even those that don't listen to opera, fall in love with their hobby all over again, The base is so deep and so rich that it makes me wish I had SC-5s instead of SC-4as. The voices are full and sweet and the instrumentation is to die for. On the "Hell Freezes Over" Eagles release, "Hotel California" shakes the room yet the vocals have no edge to them as is typical with a solid-state amp. I belong to the Bay Area Audio Asylum club and I can't wait to host a listening session. Many would consider my next comment sacreligeous, but it's it's time to stop worrying about tube rolling and replacing replacing stressed resistors and just enjoy the music.
Jeff
Yours were very interesting comments, Jwin. What you are describing is similar to my, and others take on my H2O Signature amps. I am in Sacramento. I would love to have a listen, if it can be arranged. My last solid state amps were X600 monos.