Pass Labs Xs amps ... Any owners here yet? Please check in ....

joeinid · Jun 29, 2012

https://passlabs.com/products/amplifiers/xs/xs-150

Xs

These are Pass Laboratories ultimate expression of Power Amplifiers the perfect blend of science and visceral emotion.The successor to our already lavishly praised and well regarded Supersymmetry patent. Every technical effort has been made to assure exceptional specifications, among these:Separate chassis for lower electromagnetic noise
Power supplies with greatly enhanced storage capacitance
Banks of redundantly parallel high speed / soft recovery rectifiers
Improved high frequency noise filters
Larger / quieter transformers
Improved passive decoupling
Lower power standby
Input impedances of 200 k-ohm balanced with negligible capacitance
These amplifiers will drive any load, while being driven from any source. If there’s a more emotionally satisfying amplifier anywhere, we’re not aware of it.

rockitman · Jun 29, 2012

I would love a pair. There was someone from Europe who talked about having a pair on here a while back. Never got any real tangible impressions from him nor how they compare to the XA.5 series.

slowGEEZR · Jun 29, 2012

I read somewhere that the improvement wasn't subtle. But hey, that was in "reviewer speak".

joeinid · Jun 29, 2012

If quality is in line with the price, they should be amazing. I would love to read a comparison of the Xs amps to the XA.5 series.

dafos · Jul 21, 2012

Finally got to hear the mighty xs 300 driving the notoriously difficult Eggleston works Ivy. Previously, I was told that the the only amps that had the muscle to drive these behemoths were Krells former flagship, the 1kw MRA and the big Burmesters. I also heard it bi amped by the xa 200.5 for the bass and xa 100.5 on top which, while pleasant, just sounded lifeless and slow. The xs-300 brought the Ivy to life. We threw everything at it, vocals, jazz, big band, sound spectacular drum and percussion discs, all passed with flying controls. This is one powerful but sweet sounding amp. Beautiful, lush midrange and coupled with tight fisted bass. And what a beauty, devoid of the XA's razor sharp edges, just smooth clean lines. While I can't call this a bargain at 85k, given the price of some contenders from newer companies, I'd say this is a fairly priced offering in this category of super amps.

dafos · Jul 21, 2012

As an ARC owner, I'd love to hear how the Ref 750 or the VTL Siegfried mk 2 handle the Ivy. And I'm sure there are muscle amps out there that should fare well with these speakers. So my comments are based on a previous experience with these speakers bi amped by Pass Labs Xa series amps which, as previously stated, couldn't bring these speakers to life.

joeinid · Jul 21, 2012

Thanks dafos,

I appreciate the update. Sounds like a winner.

vassago · Oct 24, 2012

slowGEEZR said:
I read somewhere that the improvement wasn't subtle. But hey, that was in "reviewer speak".

Hello

I have a pair same with xp30, I have sold two pair up to now and hope I can get the 300 sun.

LL21 · Oct 24, 2012

dafos said:
Finally got to hear the mighty xs 300 driving the notoriously difficult Eggleston works Ivy. Previously, I was told that the the only amps that had the muscle to drive these behemoths were Krells former flagship, the 1kw MRA and the big Burmesters. I also heard it bi amped by the xa 200.5 for the bass and xa 100.5 on top which, while pleasant, just sounded lifeless and slow. The xs-300 brought the Ivy to life. We threw everything at it, vocals, jazz, big band, sound spectacular drum and percussion discs, all passed with flying controls. This is one powerful but sweet sounding amp. Beautiful, lush midrange and coupled with tight fisted bass. And what a beauty, devoid of the XA's razor sharp edges, just smooth clean lines. While I can't call this a bargain at 85k, given the price of some contenders from newer companies, I'd say this is a fairly priced offering in this category of super amps.

Whoa...good stuff! Are you taking them home?

ozy · Mar 1, 2016

Had a pair of the xs300 with the xs pre for the last 2weeks...
Simply amazing sound and control !
But it's not all muscle but plenty of finesse and savvy sound.
By comparison , I'd say they are a "bargain" .... In the sense that they offer many sonic attributes ,classy looks, for a fair price.

analog brother · Apr 5, 2016

i really like the look of these now.

KeithR · Apr 5, 2016

ozy said:
Had a pair of the xs300 with the xs pre for the last 2weeks...
Simply amazing sound and control !
But it's not all muscle but plenty of finesse and savvy sound.
By comparison , I'd say they are a "bargain" .... In the sense that they offer many sonic attributes ,classy looks, for a fair price.

85k is a "bargain" for amps? i'm sure they sound great, but it seems like a poor choice of words.

ozy · Apr 5, 2016

KeithR said:
85k is a "bargain" for amps? i'm sure they sound great, but it seems like a poor choice of words.

Not sure i agree- it isi "high end audio" after all... and it's all relative... i ve had several amps over the years, that cost more then the pass xs and preformed, in my experience, far less then their retail price would suggest..... hence my reason for valuing the pass xs 300 "a bargain".

MadFloyd · Apr 5, 2016

ozy said:
Not sure i agree- it isi "high end audio" after all... and it's all relative... i ve had several amps over the years, that cost more then the pass xs and preformed, in my experience, far less then their retail price would suggest..... hence my reason for valuing the pass xs 300 "a bargain".

I guess if you're comparing with the Soulutions, Boulders, CH Precisions (insert your favorite insanely priced high-end amp manufacturer here) then it could indeed be considered an attractive price.

ozy · Apr 5, 2016

MadFloyd said:
I guess if you're comparing with the Soulutions, Boulders, CH Precisions (insert your favorite insanely priced high-end amp manufacturer here) then it could indeed be considered an attractive price.

yes ,these are some of the names and other insanely- priced amps/preamps, i have had /tried that by comparison the pass xs are a"bargain".....again, it's all relative....

knghifi · Apr 6, 2016

MadFloyd said:
I guess if you're comparing with the Soulutions, Boulders, CH Precisions (insert your favorite insanely priced high-end amp manufacturer here) then it could indeed be considered an attractive price.

MadFloyd, It's been a while now ... isn't it time for you to upgrade? Sell me your Pass XS-pre / Pass XS-150s.

MadFloyd · Apr 6, 2016

knghifi said:
MadFloyd, It's been a while now ... isn't it time for you to upgrade? Sell me your Pass XS-pre / Pass XS-150s.

Sorry, buddy, I'm pretty happy with my electronics at this point.

PeterA · Apr 6, 2016

knghifi said:
MadFloyd, It's been a while now ... isn't it time for you to upgrade? Sell me your Pass XS-pre / Pass XS-150s.

Sorry, I've exerted a great deal of behind the scenes pressure on our dear friend MadFloyd and gotten him to grant me first right of refusal on that gear.

"Oh, hi honey. Good Morning. Yes, you are right, dear, it was only a dream. But it was a good one while it lasted."

rockitman · Apr 6, 2016

MadFloyd said:
Sorry, buddy, I'm pretty happy with my electronics at this point.

Pretty Happy ? Sounds like your leaving the door open for more expenditures....

Alpinist · Apr 6, 2016

MadFloyd said:
Sorry, buddy, I'm pretty happy with my electronics at this point.

Hi Ian,

That's terrific news! So glad you are happy with your Pass XS gear. There's an old saying that I'm very fond of, "When you strike oil, stop drilling."

All the best,
Ken

Pass Labs Xs amps ... Any owners here yet? Please check in ....

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