Pass Labs XA25 Anyone?

Discussion in 'Audio Hardware' started by avanti1960, Aug 18, 2021.

  1. Rick58

    Rick58 Forum Resident

    Location:
    Eagle, ID, USA
    I admire your tenacity … and strong back!

    PS: seems odd that the XA25 would be running out of oomph. Your speakers seem very easy to drive, highish impedance, but a little low sensitivity (86dB/W/m isn’t that low though).
     
    murphythecat and avanti1960 like this.
  2. avanti1960

    avanti1960 Forum Resident Thread Starter

    Location:
    Chicago metro, USA
    thanks! the a21+ is my limit though. i kiboshed the idea of some of those mcintosh amps and larger pass amps that need to be shipped freight on a pallet. no thanks !
     
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  3. Rick58

    Rick58 Forum Resident

    Location:
    Eagle, ID, USA
    I also admire your bank account (or ability to get away with spending it!). I can’t argue with your impressions, certainly, but hoping the XA25 comes out ahead … seems like it “should” be the better amp.
     
  4. Glmoneydawg

    Glmoneydawg Forum Resident

    Location:
    Ontario Canada
    Oh dear....maybe bi amp in your future ;)
     
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  5. Rick58

    Rick58 Forum Resident

    Location:
    Eagle, ID, USA
    :D:D:D First thought in my mind too altho I didn’t want to say it. Seems overkill for the little Harbeths (altho they ARE biwirable!).

    A 21+ on woofer, AX25 on tweeter/super tweeter … :winkgrin:

    I MIGHT actually try this with my Silver 8s, A 21 on woofers and 300B SET amps on midrange/tweeter. :D:D:D
     
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  6. Khorn

    Khorn Dynagrunt Obversarian

    Since I’ve been interested in Harbeth speakers before I contacted some Harbeth experts about this situation. I can only repeat what I was told. In their opinion the speakers need a minimum of about
    75 wpc and suggest even a bit more. Also not to run the signal through the subs first. I don’t know if this info can help but I thought I’d pass it on.
     
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  7. avanti1960

    avanti1960 Forum Resident Thread Starter

    Location:
    Chicago metro, USA
    nice thought but not happening :)
     
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  8. avanti1960

    avanti1960 Forum Resident Thread Starter

    Location:
    Chicago metro, USA
    Thank you. The Pass is very conservatively rated and was tested at 80 watts per channel at 8 ohms 1% clipping.
    I believe it is trying so hard to be "resolving" that it brightens up and fatigues a little at the same time.
    Has its good moments but listening throughout the day there are many more "objectionable" sounds than the a21+ ever produced.
     
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  9. Glmoneydawg

    Glmoneydawg Forum Resident

    Location:
    Ontario Canada
    Well....i'm a little disappointed...but ok fair enough ;)
     
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  10. avanti1960

    avanti1960 Forum Resident Thread Starter

    Location:
    Chicago metro, USA
    sorry about that :) Mono blocs might work but $$$ and I sure as heck am not vertical bi-amping just to give the tweeters their own amp !
     
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  11. Glmoneydawg

    Glmoneydawg Forum Resident

    Location:
    Ontario Canada
    I figured if there was going to be an issue it would be the bass.The harbys seem to have much tighter bass than i expected and i put this down to our big watt power amps.If you have issues higher up in frequency it has to be amp "voicing" or maybe more "burn in" required?I have had components where i'm listening one evening and thinking "wow when did the problem go away?"Good luck my friend:)
     
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  12. mreeter

    mreeter Forum Resident

    Location:
    Kansas City
    My money is on; The Pass is going to smooth out a little and give you that rich, Class A tone and texture that we all crave :winkgrin:
     
  13. WildPhydeaux

    WildPhydeaux Forum Resident

    @avanti1960 Out of curiosity are you running single-ended out from your preamp to the Pass or using XLR-RCA adapters?

    Cheers,
    Robert
     
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  14. avanti1960

    avanti1960 Forum Resident Thread Starter

    Location:
    Chicago metro, USA
    thank you sir!
     
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  15. avanti1960

    avanti1960 Forum Resident Thread Starter

    Location:
    Chicago metro, USA
    hi Robert, i am using my beloved v d h balanced cables to the amp and the xlr to rca adaptors.
     
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  16. Tim 2

    Tim 2 MORE MUSIC PLEASE

    Location:
    Alberta Canada
    Cardas will make-up custom cables for a reasonable price too.

    [​IMG]
     
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  17. mkane

    mkane Strictly Analog

    Location:
    Auburn CA
    Bi-amp is a must try. We use the Pass Aleph J for mids-tweeters. Big ass plate amps for bass. 25 w can blow the windows out if need be.
     
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  18. WildPhydeaux

    WildPhydeaux Forum Resident

    Please illustrate a situation where that would be required or even convenient. Room burst into flames and you need a quick escape route?

    Cheers,
    Robert
     
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  19. mkane

    mkane Strictly Analog

    Location:
    Auburn CA
    Just saying 25W is plenty in our house. We listen to music at around 82dB.

    And if the house burst into flames, so be it. Great chance to downsize to a single level.
     
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  20. avanti1960

    avanti1960 Forum Resident Thread Starter

    Location:
    Chicago metro, USA
    key words- mid-tweeters. bi-amping is excellent for three way speakers. i don't think anything good will come of a tweeter being crossed over at 3000 Hz having its own amplifier.
     
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  21. mkane

    mkane Strictly Analog

    Location:
    Auburn CA
    I take it your speakers are two way.
     
    Rick58 likes this.
  22. mds

    mds Forum Resident

    Location:
    PA
    I thought the Harbeth you own are 3-way design?
     
  23. Slippers-on

    Slippers-on Forum Resident

    Location:
    St.Louis Mo.
    Bro….walk away….give your ears a vacation from listening and let Pass do it’s thing. It will come on point soon. Then put fresh ears on her and be blessed. Between the Harbeths and the Pass, some Wireworld Silver Eclipse 8 should be on order.:D You’re a high roller now lil bro…..so we know you can afford a pair of $450 cables which are OCC Silver clad copper 18 awg…you can always sell the 24 awg silver plated ofc Blue Heaven.
     
    Last edited: Sep 17, 2021
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  24. avanti1960

    avanti1960 Forum Resident Thread Starter

    Location:
    Chicago metro, USA
    not in the typical sense, it has a tweeter and super tweeter.
     
    Rick58 likes this.
  25. avanti1960

    avanti1960 Forum Resident Thread Starter

    Location:
    Chicago metro, USA
    thanks big bro, are you talking speaker cables or interconnects?
     

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