Give me a set of the Pass Class A XA series mono blocks over any of the Pass Class A/B X series any day…
OK!
Best,
Galen
Don’t dismiss the Pass X250.8. 250W into 8 ohms, 500 into 4 ohms.
I own one (it’s waiting to go into my son’s system) and it’s 100% of the Pass A/B goodness; incredible speed, dynamics, imaging. And it’s several thousand less than the 350.8
1 Like
I have heard good things regarding the Pass X260.8. Unfortunately I have to hear one. The XA series can be special, but once again it comes down to partnering with the speakers and dialing it in with room treatments, and cables, let alone fuses and pixie dust. Anybody use Shun Mook Pingo Discs?
The X260.8 are monoblock, which would satisfy Galen’s desire to use two power cables.
2 Likes
I believe the 260.8’s go a little deeper into class A and smaller chassis
1 Like
Well, in a perfect world I’d have both, but a backup amp is not in the realm of possibility at the moment except in a “Lottery Dream Sound System” scenario. But I’d build a room designed for it first.
Nelson has commented that about 1/3 of people prefer Class A amps (predominantly 2nd order harmonic distortion), 1/3 prefer Class A/B (some 3rd order harmonic distortion in the mix), another 1/3 have no preference. He’s also commented in articles I’ve seen on how the types and phase of the distortion products alter the perception of the soundstage and the placement of it’s contents.
Fascinating stuff. Sort of like offering up the same cable geometry designed for the lowest possible distortion, but with different grades of copper, eh? 
2 Likes
Close Ron,
I could simply drop the mono amp right where the other mono amp was and hook it up. A stereo amp requires all new and longer cables.
And certainly the sound stage is a product of circuit phase and distortions. Some are connected to the basic topology and some are specific to a circuit within that topology.
For disbelievers in amps sound, come on over and hear the exact same set-up “change” in class AB to class A with the flip of couple switches. Every component EXCEPT the topology / BIAS is the same but not the sound. You can’t change it any faster than with the M40 HV’s.
Best,
Galen
I love fiddling with things. My old Cary amp had a switch for triode or ultralinear. Switch for mood changes. Nice
3 Likes
I could not agree more.
There are exceptions from time to time, but “Oasis” is the perfect descriptor.
Cheers. 
4 Likes
For a single chassis stereo SS power amp the Ayre VX-R looks interesting. Plenty of power for my SPL needs and good sonic reports. So we have that guy.
I can’t say I’ve ever run an amp too hard except my old 75 watt APT one amp into B&W 801’s circa 1979. That amp did run its ass off keeping up to those power hog speakers.
Best,
Galen
2 Likes
That’s one cool way for the fiddlers among us to experiment. Bob Carver offers another slick trick, switchable feedback on the 350 monoblocs. I’ve never owned Carver’s monos in their various incarnations although I’ve been tempted to pull the trigger because of the sheer tube grunt per dollar.
I’m certain I could never resist the temptation to play with that switch.
mmmmm love Ayre stuff. Still built in Boulder, Co, I think.
1 Like
The X260.8 mono are a great spot in the line and really well made. I’m sure after all the optional amp discourse, owning the X260.8 would be fine!
Best,
Galen
3 Likes
@rower30 I think a couple of D’Agostino M400s would be a nice pair of backups.
3 Likes
A couple weeks ago, I heard a system with those amps and Focal Grand Utopia spkrs.
Now, I have no idea where the magic was–amps or spkrs–but whatever it was, it was magical.
2 Likes
I’ve heard those amps, as well, and they are indeed awesome !
1 Like
They are amazing. But for that price, they’d have to also do my weekly grocery shopping.
You must eat a lot of food in a week! But ya, I’d bargain for something extra too with those.
This can get tough as they are back-up amps waiting for a tube and that sort of stuff. It can be easy to get into “rebuy the best” kind of thinking. The back-up amp will run the CLX system with the XP-30. Sort of a back-up system or contrasting set-up. I’m taking over the basement!
So far it is Pass Labs X260.8 mono’s or T+A A3000 HV stereo. Either can run about any speaker to 80-95 SPL range just fine.
This is a slow burn consideration, though. The P3100HV preamp is first.