Pass Labs X150.5 Has Arrived

[Feanor]

Being a class D guy, I wasn't prepared for the dynamics. It snapped my head around the first time. I have my eye on the CJ 17LS also.

I was also a class D guy recently too. I had Class D Audio SDS-258 which is generally a very good amp and rather amazing for $600. The thing I liked least about it was its bright top highs which could be quite shrill depending on the recording. The last quality was what drove me to consider a change. However I considered the Class D Audio to be dynamic with precise base, and transparent & airy.

Before considering the Pass I listened to comment comments by Mr P, blackraven, harley, et al., and was impressed by comments about the Pass' transparency. So I wasn't surprised by improvement in this area. But the improvement versus the pretty good CDA SDS in dynamics, "PRaT", and bass was genuine surprise.

Not only piano but all percussion instruments really come alive with the Pass X150.5 -- it seemed phenomenal to me. Bass too was improved; since I listen mainly to classical music what struck me was the the Pass was able to replicate the weight & and impact of orchestral bass, i.e. string base, bassoon, bass drum, tympani, etc. (I don't mean to imply that this bass is in the least bloated or exaggeratedly warm.)

Where I'm a little disappointed with the Pass is that I expected a little more smoothness on the top end. So while the Pass is somewhat smoother and less bright than the CDA SDS, it is by no means warm or rolled off. The practical meaning of this is that overly top-end bright recordings -- of which there are many -- still sound that way.

As for the single-ended vs. balanced issue, I have only driven the Pass with a fully balanced preamp, an ARC LS9. I do know that when I got the ARC, the CDA SDS sounded more dynamic -- but I had been using a passive preamp previously, not an active single-end.

[Hyfi]

Feanor,

Have you tried the Pass with a Tube Pre yet? That may be able to tame the highs if tubed to you liking. I have always liked the mix of Tube Pre with SS Amps. If I didn't have a Hybrid amp right now, my Stratos would be in the main system with the VAC pre and I know it sounds good that way.

[Feanor]

Feanor,

Have you tried the Pass with a Tube Pre yet? That may be able to tame the highs if tubed to you liking. I have always liked the mix of Tube Pre with SS Amps. If I didn't have a Hybrid amp right now, my Stratos would be in the main system with the VAC pre and I know it sounds good that way.

No, I don't have a tube preamp at the moment. I recently bought the ARC LS9 which is s/s.

For one thing the LS9 was all I could afford in terms of a quality, balanced preamp. Nice balanced tube pre's seem to start at about $1500 which is almost twice what I paid. For another thing I'm probably more tolerant of a slightly bright sound than most people and don't want to compromised transparency & air which are my highest priorities.

I would like to heard a nice balanced preamp, say one of the ARC's or BAT's.

[blackraven]

Jack, I am thinking about giving one of these Cullen Power Cords a try.

Gold Series

It looks like a no nonsense cord at a reasonable price. For me to spend $300-400 on a cord and another few hundred on XLR's is ridiculous as the money wold have been better spent on buying a better amp or preamp. My budget for RCA's and XLR's was about $400 once I bought the Pass gear.

[Jack in Wilmington]

Jack, I am thinking about giving one of these Cullen Power Cords a try.

Gold Series

It looks like a no nonsense cord at a reasonable price. For me to spend $300-400 on a cord and another few hundred on XLR's is ridiculous as the money wold have been better spent on buying a better amp or preamp. My budget for RCA's and XLR's was about $400 one I bought the Pass gear.

That looks like a serious power cord. I'll check and see if I can find any reviews on it.

[blackraven]

I just emailed a guy on the Audio Circles forum who has one and liked it as I read one of his threads on another forum. He is running a Pass X1 preamp and a Van Alstine 400R amp. I will keep you informed about the cable.

By the way, I will be taking home the new version of the Van Alstine FET preamp on Friday or Saturday. I will be reviewing if for Frank. While it does not have XLR's, if it sounds much better than the X1, I may upgrade my current Ultra Plus preamp to it and sell the X1. I am still considering a Conrad Johnson 17LS, ARC LS25 or 26 and a BAT if I can find a good deal on one without breaking the bank. I am not going to let XLR be the deciding factor. While it may sound slightly better, the issue is that the right preamp XLR's or not, will more than make up the difference. I don't want to compromise on a great sounding preamp for the sake of a slight improvement with XLR's.

[frenchmon]

Jack...what are you going to do with the VoooDooo cable? If you are not going to use it can you let me hear it? Are you going to sell it?