Can pass labs ax160 macth b&w 802d ?

Dennistran, here's the answers to your two questions:

1) Pass Labs XA 160 monoblocks do not double down as impedence decreases, so they would drive your 802's, but a better match would be the new XA 160.5's that do double down in lower impedences and offer more current. I own Pass Labs XA-100's and love their performance in my system. If you want more information on the sonics of the XA amps go to my review here on the GON.

2) Based on my personnal taste I find the Pass Labs XA amps much more "musical" with much more liquidity then the ML amps. I just recently listened to the ML amps again, and still find the XA series amps to offer much more to my ear's what music sounds like.

I used to own the 802d and the XA160. I dont disagree with teajay's assessment of the XA's power limitations and sound. I personally think you want to look into amps that are more dynamic and transparent. To me the 802d has a great midrange but it is a bit slow. Its as if it was designed specifically for jazz and female vocal jazz. Mating the XA to it may create too much of a good thing. If you are open to other suggestions, I would look at Ayre amps. My local dealer runs the Ayre with 802d.

Thanks for yours reponses .

I just read a review on the pass amps and it was a good one. The only thing I worry about is power to drive the 802D. The warmth and all in matching with 802's is a matter of taste and whats your taste. I would geuss that this amp has plenty of reserve power, it wieghs 200lb's, but that being said it only puts out 160 watts per ch. I don't think that is enough for the B&W 802D. I think you need a minimum of 300 watts per channel in mono amps to give this speaker what it wants and keep it from sounding "slow"... The dynamics, laid back, or whatever is all a matter of taste, but with the 802D the fact is, bring on the power and it will sing.
beerdraft