Pass XA25 or any XA.8 with Tannoy

[HDDG]

Hi everyone,
I'm looking for feedback concerning the subject posted, and preferably the association of Pass with the Westminster GR. I was thinking about the XA25 which I can't demo where I am, but read and heard so much good things about it. However, I know my Tannoy very well (also got the GRF90 in another setup), and although they do like power, they don't seem to like fast amps, which the XA25 is. Twice the slew rate of the XA30.8 and about thrice the damping factor. Tannoy Westminster with fast amps seem to be well, too fast, if I may say it that way, especially on the lows which is then very detailed, but lacks some depth and amplitude. So XA25/Westminster or XA.--8/Westminster ?? Thx a lot.

 

[danielk141]

HDDG,

I heard all the principal (high up) employees at Pass use Tannoy speakers in their personal systems. Why don't you contact Pass Labs and ask them?

 

[HDDG]

HDDG,

I heard all the principal (high up) employees at Pass use Tannoy speakers in their personal systems. Why don't you contact Pass Labs and ask them?

Yes, I have and waiting for feedback from them. I know many of them use Tannoy and Nelson tests his amps on an inverted Imperial Jensen cab fitted with a specific Tannoy driver. However, the newer Tannoy aren't exactly the same and the XA25 seems to be an "alien" from Pass !! It's best to have as much user feedback as well, especially if I'm to buy blind..

 

[cjfrbw]

I've heard the XA25 several times at shows, as well as the XA30.8, and I think the XA25 edges it's stable mate out with richness as well as detail. I would pick the XA25 because it uses just a single pair of large high current hockey puck MOSFET per channel (simpler is better aka First Watt), vs. multiple devices per channel in the XA30.8.

I think either one of them, though, are the best sounding of the strictly Pass Labs amps that I have heard.

 

[bonzo75]

Yes, I have and waiting for feedback from them. I know many of them use Tannoy and Nelson tests his amps on an inverted Imperial Jensen cab fitted with a specific Tannoy driver. However, the newer Tannoy aren't exactly the same and the XA25 seems to be an "alien" from Pass !! It's best to have as much user feedback as well, especially if I'm to buy blind..

Is there a picture of this speaker of Nelson's

Like this?

 

[HDDG]

Is there a picture of this speaker of Nelson's

Like this?

View attachment 57306

These!! His are inverted..

 

[bonzo75]

Do you know which tannoy drivers he uses?

 

[HDDG]

Forgot, but will try find this out for you

 

[HDDG]

They're the Tannoy HPD 385 15"

 

[danielk141]

The speakers used are described at 15:30 in this video. Also, interesting take on critical listening.....

 

[danielk141]

HDDG,

I have owned the Pass Aleph 3, Aleph 30, Aleph 60 monoblocks, Aleph 2 monoblocks, First Watt J2, and X-150.5.
I currently own the XA-60.8 monoblocks and the XA-30.5. I recently borrowed a friend's First Watt F7, it just didn't work for me on my ProAc Tablette Anniversary speakers....
I think you should try an XA-30.5. Mine drives my B&W 803 D3s easily, and it just sounds so good, I won't sell it. Pass makes so many great amps, when you find one with synergy to your system/listening preference, your search is rewarded!*

*(Editorial comment from someone who searched a long time for my favorite sound).

 

[cjfrbw]

They're the Tannoy HPD 385 15"

Heh, Heh, I love the picture of Nelson crawling around in his strangler vine cables. Looks like there could be some zip cord in there, too.

I wonder if they have ever found a dead audiophile bound in his cables.

I also like that he puts his amps ass forward, like I do, so that it is easy to change out the speaker wires.

 

[Dante Choi]

Hi everyone,
I'm looking for feedback concerning the subject posted, and preferably the association of Pass with the Westminster GR. I was thinking about the XA25 which I can't demo where I am, but read and heard so much good things about it. However, I know my Tannoy very well (also got the GRF90 in another setup), and although they do like power, they don't seem to like fast amps, which the XA25 is. Twice the slew rate of the XA30.8 and about thrice the damping factor. Tannoy Westminster with fast amps seem to be well, too fast, if I may say it that way, especially on the lows which is then very detailed, but lacks some depth and amplitude. So XA25/Westminster or XA.--8/Westminster ?? Thx a lot.

Dear HDDG, just for your reference I have one pair of Tannoy Autograph with Silver Monitors 15" 16 ohms driven by Allnic A-8000 power amp (this is KR-1610 SE 50W) and Allnic Line Amp H-8000. Recently I had the opportunity to listen XA-25 in my system. Was amazing. The sound was incredible, the combination with 16 ohms of Tannoy just perfect. After to listen to that small and compact amp, I understood why Nelson is using Tannoy. The midrange was with impact, the definition in the bass, deep and impressive sound. The high freq was infinite. I can't tell you how can be the combination with your Westminster, but at least with my vintage Silver Monitors the result was so good, I am planning to purchase one XA-25.

 

[HDDG]

Dear HDDG, just for your reference I have one pair of Tannoy Autograph with Silver Monitors 15" 16 ohms driven by Allnic A-8000 power amp (this is KR-1610 SE 50W) and Allnic Line Amp H-8000. Recently I had the opportunity to listen XA-25 in my system. Was amazing. The sound was incredible, the combination with 16 ohms of Tannoy just perfect. After to listen to that small and compact amp, I understood why Nelson is using Tannoy. The midrange was with impact, the definition in the bass, deep and impressive sound. The high freq was infinite. I can't tell you how can be the combination with your Westminster, but at least with my vintage Silver Monitors the result was so good, I am planning to purchase one XA-25.

Thanks a lot. This amp seems to be a real gem and reports are unanimously very good to excellent so far anywhere you look !!

 

[jespera]

Dear HDDG, just for your reference I have one pair of Tannoy Autograph with Silver Monitors 15" 16 ohms driven by Allnic A-8000 power amp (this is KR-1610 SE 50W) and Allnic Line Amp H-8000. Recently I had the opportunity to listen XA-25 in my system. Was amazing. The sound was incredible, the combination with 16 ohms of Tannoy just perfect. After to listen to that small and compact amp, I understood why Nelson is using Tannoy. The midrange was with impact, the definition in the bass, deep and impressive sound. The high freq was infinite. I can't tell you how can be the combination with your Westminster, but at least with my vintage Silver Monitors the result was so good, I am planning to purchase one XA-25.

We need pictures of those 15” silvers.

Jesper

 

[Dante Choi]

 

[Dante Choi]

We need pictures of those 15” silvers.

Jesper

 

[Dante Choi]

We need pictures of those 15” silvers.

Jesper

 

[Dante Choi]

We need pictures of those 15” silvers.

Jesper

 

[Dante Choi]

We need pictures of those 15” silvers.

Jesper