Pass Labs XA25

Yowser - By hype I meant reviews that said the 25 watts would be enough and it’s not. I knew that going in. I need to reword my post. Yowser, I went to edit my post but it won't allow me (more than 30 mins) smh

JI35 - Why I  decided to keep the XA25 even though it’s not for my main system. Because it’s a Pass Labs... I owned the X150 for 16 or so years before giving it to one of sons. Before getting the X150 I was going through amps like crazy trying find that ultimate sound and with the X150 mated with the VTL TL 2.5 preamp that I had in the mid 2000’s, and guess what, I found what I was looking (listening) for.  No more amp chasing....

Another main reason I bought the X150 was back in the mid 2000’s I emailed Nelson to ask a few questions and he responded promptly and answered my questions just like he did 1 week ago. 

Avanti1960 - That’s why I emailed Nelson about the break-in time. Like I said it’s not for me in my main system (yet) maybe after like you said give it time...  

I hope this answer’s all you guys questions.

Avanti1960

 When the XA 25 arrived I hooked it up to my Dynaudio Focus 360's that I had purchased around 2010 (was the most I had ever spent on speakers). As soon as the XA25 warmed up (about an hour) I started playing Stan Getz: The Bossa Nova Album and then Trombone in Jazz by Massimo Pirone. I knew immediately that wasn't going to work. Then I hooked up my Focal Aria stand speakers, ok but not what I wanted. Next the Paradigm Premier stand speakers so,so, and then the Triangle Borea Bro4 stand speakers. The Bro4's sounded the best to me. I also have the Paradigm Mini Monitors but I didn't hook those up. As you can see I try to keep my stand speakers under $2000 per pair. And I hold onto them. 

I have tried tube swapping in the SLP-98  From Electro Harmonix (which came with the SLP-98)  Tung sol, RCA, JJ tubes, etc, I just can't make myself lay down $800 or more for a quad of NOS tubes.

obviously you would need very sensitive speakers. You have a lot of speakers which is nice but maybe none of them are a good fit.