Sony and Pass Labs team up

[frenchmon]

https://blog.sony.com/press/sony-demonstrates-pass-laboratories-40th-anniversary-commemorative-vfet-amplifier/



This exclusive Pass Laboratories commemorative amplifier employs complementary matched pairs (2SK82 and 2SJ28) of Sony VFETs, which were in storage for nearly 40 years.......In developing this product, Pass Laboratories utilized Sony’s highly acclaimed AR-1 reference loudspeaker, which proved to be an ideal match for the amplifier’s overall performance.

To celebrate this remarkable achievement, Sony Electronics will join with Pass Laboratories following CES in sponsoring a select number of demonstrations of this amplifier at Sony and Pass authorized dealers located throughout the U.S..

[Mr Peabody]

Interesting project, as well as interesting historical info on Sony, like the Class D and they put out the FET amp. I noticed a couple things about the Pass amp that isn't typical, the power rating is into 4 ohms opposed to 8, and the distortion level at 2% seems a bit high for Class A.

[JohnMichael]

250 watts peak power with less than 2% distortion in Class A sounds impressive. Of course something tells me it will be out of my price range. I remember when Musical Fidelity had their Nu Vista line using those NOS miniature tubes(?). I wonder how they are holding up?

[harley .guy07]

Pass already makes amps under his first watt brand using the SIT transistors but they are very low wattage units and they aren't cheap so i can guarantee a SIT amp at that power level and with this kind of press won't be cheap, but i would love to hear it!!!!

[Feanor]

I owned a Sony TA-5650 V-FET back in the day. As I recall, (it was a long time ago), it sounded very nice but this model had only 20 wpc which was low even for that day & age. I replaced it with a Phase Linear 400 after I got a pair of Ohm F speakers -- the Phase had the power but didn't necessarily sound better. (It took a long time but eventually I realized what a hideous sounding amp the PL 400 actually is.)

Whether it's sensible or not, vintage VFET models go for very high prices considering their age. No doubt the new Pass amps will be very pricey.

Nelson Pass loves to experiment with different transistor types and designs; check out his First Watt amps HERE (http://www.firstwatt.com/). But he'll admit that while they all sound relatively good they also all sound different so whether you like a particular model will depend on your personal preference. I dare say the same will apply to these new, VFET amps.

9589

[harley .guy07]

what i don't understand is that if these transistor are so good why is there no companies starting to make them again. I would love to see a Pass X/vfet amp come just to hear one knowing I probably couldn't afford it ever!!!