The Last Amplifier Project - Pass Labs X600.5 Monoblocks

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Comments

  • chumlie
    chumlie Posts: 8,658
    edited April 2013
    They look great. Congrats !!! Are those new platforms that your Turntable & CD Player are sitting on ?
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  • BlueFox
    BlueFox Posts: 15,251
    edited April 2013
    Very nice. I have upgraditis now. When my 400 pound rack arrived last week it was in 4 boxes, and the UPS driver was a woman. She had moving the big heavy stuff off the truck down to a science. She bought it to the garage door, and I dragged each piece inside.

    Speaking of racks, have you thought if getting a sturdier open rack, and bringing the gear out in the open? It will run cooler, and probably sound better when the sound can flow around the gear versus reflecting off the sides. It sure did for me.
    Lumin X1 file player, Westminster Labs interconnect cable
    Sony XA-5400ES SACD; Pass XP-22 pre; X600.5 amps
    Magico S5 MKII Mcast Rose speakers; SPOD spikes

    Shunyata Triton v3/Typhon QR on source, Denali 2000 (2) on amps
    Shunyata Sigma XLR analog ICs, Sigma speaker cables
    Shunyata Sigma HC (2), Sigma Analog, Sigma Digital, Z Anaconda (3) power cables

    Mapleshade Samson V.3 four shelf solid maple rack, Micropoint brass footers
    Three 20 amp circuits.
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  • DarqueKnight
    DarqueKnight Posts: 6,765
    edited April 2013
    chumlie wrote: »
    They look great. Congrats !!! Are those new platforms that your Turntable & CD Player are sitting on ?

    Yes. Those are PS Audio PowerBases. Reviewed here
    BlueFox wrote: »
    I have upgraditis now.

    Well, you'd better hurry to the doctor and get the strongest antidote available. You see what happened to me and my wallet.:cry:
    BlueFox wrote: »
    Speaking of racks, have you thought if getting a sturdier open rack, and bringing the gear out in the open? It will run cooler, and probably sound better when the sound can flow around the gear versus reflecting off the sides. It sure did for me.

    I used open racks for years for the reasons you stated. I reached a point where I got tired of all my gear staring back at me. I particularly do not like the look of silver components.
    Proud and loyal citizen of the Digital Domain and Solid State Country!
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  • thsmith
    thsmith Posts: 6,082
    edited April 2013
    Congrats and beautilful looking amps !
    Speakers: SDA-1C (most all the goodies)
    Preamp: Joule Electra LA-150 MKII SE
    Amp: Wright WPA 50-50 EAT KT88s
    Analog: Marantz TT-15S1 MBS Glider SL| Wright WPP100C Amperex BB 6er5 and 7316 & WPM-100 SUT
    Digital: Mac mini 2.3GHz dual-core i5 8g RAM 1.5 TB HDD Music Server Amarra (memory play) - USB - W4S DAC 2
    Cables: Mits S3 IC and Spk cables| PS Audio PCs
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  • Toolfan66
    Toolfan66 Posts: 17,254
    edited April 2013
    Those are blue lights I can live with!! LOL!!!
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  • monepolk
    monepolk Posts: 1,143
    edited April 2013
    Looks fantastic, can't wait for your review on them!
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  • asindc
    asindc Posts: 85
    edited April 2013
    DK,

    Interesting that you replaced the JC1s with Pass 600.5s. A buddy of mine has 600.5s mated with ARC Ref 5 preamp and Martin Logan CLXs. When I got my JC1s, he was so impressed that he wanted to hear them in his system. We made the comparison and found that the 600.5s were indeed better sounding to both of us, but the JC1s definitely held their own. I found the 600.5s more balanced and refined, with a bit more ease in presentation. I'm still very happy with the JC1s in my system, but I do think you have made an excellent choice here.

    BTW, earlier in the thread you mentioned that you had briefly considered the Classe CA-M600 monoblocks but thought they were more geared towards home theater than 2-channel. Did you audition them in your system?

    Anthony
    Two-Channel System:

    ANALOG AUDIO CHAIN:
    Turntable/Cartridge: CLEARAUDIO Innovation Wood/Kuzma 4Point/Ortofon A95...
    Phono Pre: ASR Basis Exclusive HV——————>

    DIGITAL AUDIO CHAIN:
    Server: ANTIPODES CX (Oladra Upgrade)...
    DAC: CARY DMS-600—————————-———->
    Disc Player: CARY CD 306 SACD PRO—————>

    Pre-Amp: ====> Cary SLP-05 (Ultimate Upgrade Edition)

    Amplifiers: Clayton M-300 monoblocks
    ~~~

    Loudspeakers: MARTIN LOGAN SPIRES/Rel 212SX x2
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  • DarqueKnight
    DarqueKnight Posts: 6,765
    edited April 2013
    asindc wrote: »
    We made the comparison and found that the 600.5s were indeed better sounding to both of us, but the JC1s definitely held their own. I found the 600.5s more balanced and refined, with a bit more ease in presentation.

    I have only had the 600.5's for one day, but your and your friend's impressions essentially echo mine, with the exception that I find the X600.5's to have a lot more ease in presentation. This is especially true as the volume is turned up.

    The JC 1's are outstanding amplifiers in every respect.
    asindc wrote: »
    BTW, earlier in the thread you mentioned that you had briefly considered the Classe CA-M600 monoblocks but thought they were more geared towards home theater than 2-channel. Did you audition them in your system?

    No.
    Proud and loyal citizen of the Digital Domain and Solid State Country!
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