Hello,
I've recently aquired a new toy that I am using as a Guiena Pig to determine how many "Pass Labs" Watts I really need to support my listening habits and speaker of choice.
The "toy" I am speaking of is a Pass Labs XA30.5 Stereo Amp. The speakers are Magico S3's.
It's kind of funny, when I think of this XA30.5's advertised output, I can't help but grin as I stare at the numbers on paper compared to my "regular" Amps of choice which are significantly more powerful. But, with that said, do I really need as much power as I'm feeding these speakers and how is that extra headroom contributing to the sound I have grown to very much enjoy.
Here is where it gets interesting. Thus far, with the XA30.5 driving my speakers in my 24x15 room, I have only just barley got the little needle to move past 12 o'clock at what I would call the 90% mark of my normal listening level. Impressive to say the least!
So with the above in mind I ask this question to those Pass veterans on the forum:
1. Is there any reason to believe that going full overkill mode on the sizing aspect of the amp would get me anything at all above and beyond what I'm hearing now? In other words, if I'm only slightly ruffling the feathers of a XA30.5's power output and believe that a XA60.8 would fit the bill for my usage without a problem what is the likelyhood of a XA100.8 being even better still? It appears there are differences from an electrical capability standpoint and a slight edge in Damping Factor to the 100.8 on up but will it matter in this case?
It's a very interesting contrast when comparing the "Baby" Pass to my regular amps (Mola Mola Kaluga) on these speakers. I know Class D is not a very popular topology around here and usually gets kicked to the curb by most due to old biases some can't get past but when I hear these two very different beasts side by side I'm hard pressed to pick one being massively better then the other. At least not that would justify the typical responses seen by the usual suspects and fans of Class A only around here.
Anyway, I offer this brief comparison as a Segway into my next question about the sound of the more powerful Pass Labs offerings compared to the "Baby" Pass I am playing with.
When comparing the Mola's sound to the "Baby" Pass its like the equivalent of a Yamaha R1 compared to a Harley in terms of speed, acceleration, bass that's there one second and gone before the next second, with a smack you in the face type of impact to the notes capable of doing such things all the while not being over baring, harsh or in your face. But, is most of this due to the massive power differences between the two or just becuase of the topology differences? Would a much larger Pass than a XA60.8 do this more then the XA60.8 would given my previous comments on barley moving the needle of a XA30.5 I am using today?
I guess what I'm wondering is, would a larger Pass in my room with my speakers under the same listening conditions be putting me closer to that Mola Mola sound or only be burning more electricity and generating more heat than the XA60.8 would which appears to be enough power for my purposes?
Thanks
I've recently aquired a new toy that I am using as a Guiena Pig to determine how many "Pass Labs" Watts I really need to support my listening habits and speaker of choice.
The "toy" I am speaking of is a Pass Labs XA30.5 Stereo Amp. The speakers are Magico S3's.
It's kind of funny, when I think of this XA30.5's advertised output, I can't help but grin as I stare at the numbers on paper compared to my "regular" Amps of choice which are significantly more powerful. But, with that said, do I really need as much power as I'm feeding these speakers and how is that extra headroom contributing to the sound I have grown to very much enjoy.
Here is where it gets interesting. Thus far, with the XA30.5 driving my speakers in my 24x15 room, I have only just barley got the little needle to move past 12 o'clock at what I would call the 90% mark of my normal listening level. Impressive to say the least!
So with the above in mind I ask this question to those Pass veterans on the forum:
1. Is there any reason to believe that going full overkill mode on the sizing aspect of the amp would get me anything at all above and beyond what I'm hearing now? In other words, if I'm only slightly ruffling the feathers of a XA30.5's power output and believe that a XA60.8 would fit the bill for my usage without a problem what is the likelyhood of a XA100.8 being even better still? It appears there are differences from an electrical capability standpoint and a slight edge in Damping Factor to the 100.8 on up but will it matter in this case?
It's a very interesting contrast when comparing the "Baby" Pass to my regular amps (Mola Mola Kaluga) on these speakers. I know Class D is not a very popular topology around here and usually gets kicked to the curb by most due to old biases some can't get past but when I hear these two very different beasts side by side I'm hard pressed to pick one being massively better then the other. At least not that would justify the typical responses seen by the usual suspects and fans of Class A only around here.
Anyway, I offer this brief comparison as a Segway into my next question about the sound of the more powerful Pass Labs offerings compared to the "Baby" Pass I am playing with.
When comparing the Mola's sound to the "Baby" Pass its like the equivalent of a Yamaha R1 compared to a Harley in terms of speed, acceleration, bass that's there one second and gone before the next second, with a smack you in the face type of impact to the notes capable of doing such things all the while not being over baring, harsh or in your face. But, is most of this due to the massive power differences between the two or just becuase of the topology differences? Would a much larger Pass than a XA60.8 do this more then the XA60.8 would given my previous comments on barley moving the needle of a XA30.5 I am using today?
I guess what I'm wondering is, would a larger Pass in my room with my speakers under the same listening conditions be putting me closer to that Mola Mola sound or only be burning more electricity and generating more heat than the XA60.8 would which appears to be enough power for my purposes?
Thanks