Pass Labs XA30.5 amp

Ern Dog

First a little history....
I got my first Pass Labs amp in Oct 2009 and started with the out of production X-150. This amp blew me away with the level of clarity, detail and naturalness. Most of all, it is totally neutral and linear from top to bottom. No warmth, no brightness, and Not clinical sounding. I noticed that the bass sounded a tad lean and figured that was because I had never heard an amp deliver bass this clean and tight before. Although this was a very enjoyable amp, it was not my cup of tea because I prefer some warmth. I sold it after 2 months and got a Rogue Audio Stereo 90 tube amp and loved it. I had the warmth and loved the sound of the tubes. My only beef was that the tubes were finicky, needed regular biasing, costly NOS tube replacements, blown fuses, etc. I like to plug it in and forget about it, so I sold it and went on the hunt for a tube sounding solid state amp.

This search led me to the Pass Labs X-150.5. It had all the things I loved about the tube amp without all the hassles. Problem solved. I could have easily lived with this amp forever because it did everything right. So why did I upgrade? I upgraded because I plugged my Modwright Oppo directly into my amp. This opened up a whole new level of resolution and transparency. I realized that my source and amp had surpassed the performance of my Modwright 9.0 preamp. The preamp was actually holding my rig back instead of propelling it forward. My upgrade-itus kicked in and I was very curious about what it would sound like if I tried the XA.5 series.

Enter the Pass Labs XA30.5 amp. This delivers 30 watts of class A love into 8 ohms. My speakers are 4 ohms and 90 db, so I get 60 watts of class A then almost 200 watts of class AB. Personally, I can’t hear the difference from when it is in class A versus class AB. My normal listening SPL is between 75 db to 95 db when I’m rockin’ out. I see the needle on the front dial start to move when I hit around 82db. This indicates when the amp is moving out of class A into class AB. I also have to say that both these amp are gorgeous! I enjoy just looking at them and the blue dial is very cool.

I’ve been listening to it for a couple weeks now, plugged in directly from the source. It totally sounds like a tube amp and It is by far the most pleasurable amp I’ve ever heard. It is very engaging. When it is playing it is difficult to do other things because the music sounds so believable and it sucks me right in. I keep wanting to put another cd in and another and another…… I switched in the X150.5 and it just isn’t as engaging. All I could think about was switching it back to the XA30.5 again. I’m finding that the XA.5 is a huge advancement from the X.5 series. It is smooth sounding without sacrificing detail. The bass is deep, tight and has this growl like I’ve never heard before. As I listen to all my favorite cd, I’m hearing things I never heard before because of the level of resolution. It has excellent micro-details. For example, I’ve had this one cd I’ve been playing for about 10 years and only recently found out that one of the songs was being harmonized with another person. I’m able to hear more into the music and understand it better. This also makes the music more emotionally impactful. I found myself tearing up during some powerful classical music passages. This amp is truly reference quality. You gotta hear it to believe it.

Now that I’m done with the Modwright preamp, I’ve decided to get a Placette passive. I’m not anticipating any sonic improvements because it is totally transparent. The biggest benefit will be being able to get my sub back in the mix and having more inputs available, since my rig doubles as my HT.

RuSsMaN

Nice write up, thanks for taking the time.

Oh, and *nothing* is completely transparent.

Cheers,
Russ

quadzilla

RuSsMaN wrote: »

Nice write up, thanks for taking the time.

Oh, and *nothing* is completely transparent.

Cheers,
Russ

According to my wife, I am.

And yeah, very good write up.

Jetmaker737

Nice write up. I'm curious why you went to an amp upgrade when it was your preamp that was the weak link. I mean the XA30.5 sounds like it's a sweet amp but why not get the placette first?

megasat16

Very interesting write up and comparison between X150.5 and XA30.5.

I got to ask though. Why would one always compare or gauge a Solid State based Electronics with Tube based Electronics?

When you mention you SS amps sounds like Tube Amp, what characteristics are you referring to that of from a Tube Amp?

I think it's really is a common misconception with some of the SS amps owners here.

What do they mean by that? What is the common characteristics of the Tube Amp? How does a Tube Amp Sound? How does a SS Amp Sound?

Do they sound the same or are they even supposed to sound the same?

Otherwise, it's a good read and a nice review!

danz1906

Very nice review!
Does your Modwright Oppo 83se have Balanced outputs?
If so, do you run it balanced?

cnh

Interesting review. Now between you and Brock, I'd love to put my ears on some of these Pass amps--it goes without saying that they're out of my price range though...even 'used'?

To Mega...you don't think there is a "Tube-like" sound? Well, I'll wait for the REAL TUBE guys to show up and hash that out. But I've heard a difference between the two myself. Admittedly we're talking about refined gear in both cases. Not any tube amp.

Later.....

cnh

Ern Dog

Why did I upgraded the amp first before getting the Placette? Well it was a very spontaneous decision with no rhyme or reason

I'm running my whole rig using RCA's and my source does not have balanced outputs. I could send it back to Modwright to get this mod for $200. I may do it in the future.

I've only owned 1 tube amp and it was very different sounding than all the SS amps I've had prior. So when I say the "tube sound" I'm referring to how my Rogue amp sounded: lush, smooth, warm, big soundstage, rounded edges, three dimensional.

I agree that quality SS amps and tube amps can have the same characteristics. Bottom line for me is choosing one that makes you happy!

megasat16

cnh wrote: »

To Mega...you don't think there is a "Tube-like" sound? Well, I'll wait for the REAL TUBE guys to show up and hash that out. But I've heard a difference between the two myself. Admittedly we're talking about refined gear in both cases. Not any tube amp.

Later.....

cnh

When I asked the OP that question, I meant to be in constructive ways and not demeaning to what he said.

If one use "Tube-Like" sound means the goodness of an amp, then it is the common attributes that both Tube Gears and SS gears share and possess! It simply is that there are the common traits or attributes that both types of gears share / have. These good traits does not particularly belong to one type of gear so you can't really single out the type of equipments based on these traits (such as liquid, fluid, warm, details, transparent, life like, etc.).

Then, there are very distinctive traits that belongs to Tube Gears that you can't find with SS gears. Likewise, there are very distinctive traits or attributes that belongs only to the SS gears and not to the Tube Gear.

From what I understand, almost anyone saying "Tube-Like" meant the goodness of Tubes that is also common to the SS amps.

But do (SS and Tube) sound the same? No, Absolutely Not! That's why you'll see many people refer to as "almost Tube Like" but it's not real Tube Quality. But does it mean that Tube Gear is superior to SS Gears? NO! Absolutely Not! It's just happened that the Tube are more user friendly and easy to tailor the sound for the listener.

steveinaz

I want that modwright. Seriously. Do you still have it?

heiney9

So jealous about the Pass Labs amp . I will probably never own another amp that isn't a Pass amp. They do so many things right and sound so natural and engaging it's almost unbelievable. The XA30.5 will most likely be my next amp, but honestly I'm thrilled with the Aleph 30.

Nice choice, enjoy and feel free to continue to expound on the virtues of your rig.

H9

heiney9

megasat16 wrote: »

When I asked the OP that question, I meant to be in constructive ways and not demeaning to what he said.

If one use "Tube-Like" sound means the goodness of an amp, then it is the common attributes that both Tube Gears and SS gears share and possess! It simply is that there are the common traits or attributes that both types of gears share / have. These good traits does not particularly belong to one type of gear so you can't really single out the type of equipments based on these traits (such as liquid, fluid, warm, details, transparent, life like, etc.).

Then, there are very distinctive traits that belongs to Tube Gears that you can't find with SS gears. Likewise, there are very distinctive traits or attributes that belongs only to the SS gears and not to the Tube Gear.

From what I understand, almost anyone saying "Tube-Like" meant the goodness of Tubes that is also common to the SS amps.

But do (SS and Tube) sound the same? No, Absolutely Not! That's why you'll see many people refer to as "almost Tube Like" but it's not real Tube Quality. But does it mean that Tube Gear is superior to SS Gears? NO! Absolutely Not! It's just happened that the Tube are more user friendly and easy to tailor the sound for the listener.

James, if you read any of Nelson's literature he explains what is similar about tubes and his Mosfet designs atleast in theory. I've heard tube gear that sounds more SS in it's presentation and SS gear that sounds more tube like in it's presentation.

My brother's BAT VK60's sound a lot more SS than tubes. In fact much of BAT gear leans more towards a SS presentation than the typical tube like presentation. That's not to say they don't sound like tubes. It also, as you touched on, has a lot to do with the tube type and manufacturer. All BAT gear comes with Russian tubes and in my limited experience those aren't the tubiest sounding tubes around.

Anyway lets not take this too far off track, maybe start a separate thread as it is a good observation about what someone means when they use the terms solid state or tube like.

H9

Ricardo

Nice review. I've always wondered what the next "Pass" level would make to my rig, but no matter what Brock says........I think that regardless of the designer, 30 watts won't cut it for my speakers.

I'll probably keep my X250 until I hit the lottery

heiney9

I agree Ricardo, 30wpc is not enough for maggies

H9

Ern Dog

steveinaz wrote: »

I want that modwright. Seriously. Do you still have it?

I still have it. It is the Signature edition with the upgraded tube power supply. It also has the upgraded blue remote instead of the cheapo universal. Comes with a NOS Sylvania for the rectifier tube, along with the stock Sovtek tube. For the 5687's it comes with Jan philips, a brand new back-up pair of the Jan's and a pair of NOS Tung sols.

Condition is excellent and it performs perfectly. Make me an offer through PM.

Ern Dog

Thanks for all the comments gents.

steveinaz

PM sent.

megasat16

heiney9 wrote: »

James, if you read any of Nelson's literature he explains what is similar about tubes and his Mosfet designs atleast in theory. I've heard tube gear that sounds more SS in it's presentation and SS gear that sounds more tube like in it's presentation.

My brother's BAT VK60's sound a lot more SS than tubes. In fact much of BAT gear leans more towards a SS presentation than the typical tube like presentation. That's not to say they don't sound like tubes. It also, as you touched on, has a lot to do with the tube type and manufacturer. All BAT gear comes with Russian tubes and in my limited experience those aren't the tubiest sounding tubes around.

Anyway lets not take this too far off track, maybe start a separate thread as it is a good observation about what someone means when they use the terms solid state or tube like.

H9

Brock,

I am quite familiar with the NP paper and his design ideas. I like his noble ideas very much even though I am not a huge fan of his.

Yeah, SS amps can have some qualities of Tubes amps as well and the Tube amps can have some SS qualities. It's the designer intent and the use of the particular Tubes in the design or the Transistors in the SS case.

But do they sound the same down to earth, I hope not.

While I understand the intent people using the "Tube Like" sound while expressing about SS, I don't want to go to a lengthy discussion while one would use such terms. It's something that has been in use for decades and you can blame "Stereophile" for such lameness.

FTGV

Not Passed out yet James?:biggrin:

megasat16

FTGV wrote: »

Not Passed out yet James?:biggrin:

Depends who is footin the bill. :biggrin:

DMara

megasat16 wrote: »

Depends who is footin the bill. :biggrin:

Come on now, leave Rex Ryan alone :biggrin:

dbaldus

Jetmaker737 wrote: »

Nice write up. I'm curious why you went to an amp upgrade when it was your preamp that was the weak link. I mean the XA30.5 sounds like it's a sweet amp but why not get the placette first?

I'm actually wondering the same thing... you said that your pre was the weak link, but then you got the new XA amp and later replaced your pre with the Placette?

I'm curious to hear your thoughts on why you replaced it with the Placette instead of a nice active pre? Have you thought about upgrading your pre to something from Pass like the XP-10 or one of the older (and therefore cheaper when purchased second-hand) models?

I'm in a similar situation... wanting to replace my amp with a Pass Labs model, but feeling like I would need a decent pre to show it off in the first place. My thought is that it would be best to get a nice pre, likely an X-1 or something around the $1500 - $2000 mark (used), then pick up an X or XA model amp from Pass.

Any input would be much appreciated!

Ern Dog

dbaldus wrote: »

I'm actually wondering the same thing... you said that your pre was the weak link, but then you got the new XA amp and later replaced your pre with the Placette?

I'm curious to hear your thoughts on why you replaced it with the Placette instead of a nice active pre? Have you thought about upgrading your pre to something from Pass like the XP-10 or one of the older (and therefore cheaper when purchased second-hand) models?

I'm in a similar situation... wanting to replace my amp with a Pass Labs model, but feeling like I would need a decent pre to show it off in the first place. My thought is that it would be best to get a nice pre, likely an X-1 or something around the $1500 - $2000 mark (used), then pick up an X or XA model amp from Pass.

Any input would be much appreciated!

I was so impressed with the sound of my rig with NO preamp, but for several reasons I needed one. So I started out with wanting a passive Placette, but ended up with an Active Placette. I went this route because I wanted a preamp that could deliver a transparent signal. And I wanted to hear what the Pass Labs XA.5 series sounded like. Now that I've had the Placette for several weeks, I have no desire to look further. It delivers transparency in spades!

For your situation, I would start with upgrading the weakest link and I'm not familiar enough with your amp and preamp to know what that is.

If you lived closer, I'd bring over my X150.5 so you could hear it in your system, since it's for sale.