Macintosh vs Pass labs

Between Pass and McIntosh, it´s like apples and oranges - both taste very well. For example, the German magazine Stereoplay likes the Pass X 350.5 very much, and in its Nvember 2005 issue compared it to McIntosh´s 501s. The Pass sounded more "more massive and elementary", but 501s won, offering more fine details and considerably better imaging and space definition.
Regards,
Florian Hassel

I had called Pass Labs about 7-8 years ago and talked with Nelson. This, as I remember, was during CES and he had stayed behind that year and was answering the phones. I have been a tube guy since the mid 80s and explained this to Nelson saying I was considering going SS to see how the designs had progressed.

Nelson said he was also a tube fan and knew where I was coming from. However, he his amps would not satisfy my tube based musical tastes. Said I should stick with tubes based on what I like in music reproduction.

I thought this was brutally honest and proof that Pass is a company building the best electronics they can without overriding desire for profits first. This is the kind of company that deserves our support. If I ever decide to go SS I will check Pass products (although I have a Plinius SA50 MKIII that is very musical).

If you want a McIntosh amp, by all means get one and try it. That way you can make your own decision. You can always resell at no loss if you make a wise purchase.

Personally, I feel the latest McIntosh amps have superlative microdynamic detail and information, which make instrumental timbre exceptionally accurate. They also have a natural coherence that puts the soundstage together perfectly IMO. Give it a try and see what you think.

Arthur

Just reading along: I get confused as to which Mac blocks are their best. I read many here think the 501's Then in TAS I see they use the 436'es to review 25k speakers. Which is better? I probably would have gotten the Pass 350.5 but it it just to heavy; untill I get that car-motor engine lifter installed in my ceiling.