Itch again! what do you think: Pass Labs, McCormack, BAT, or Levinson amp?

rydenfan · « **Reply #80 on:** 24 Mar 2008, 06:03 pm »

Quote from: Big Red Machine on 24 Mar 2008, 04:30 pm

X350.5 purchased and being shipped from Pass Labs today.

SWEET!

I look forward to your impressions.

anthony a. · « **Reply #81 on:** 24 Mar 2008, 10:24 pm »

It is very interesting what you say about Pass and bass. I have heard the x150.5 and found it to have poor control of the low frequency range. But I loved the midrange.

Now I'm reconsidering the bigger models, the 350.5 would be too expensive and too bulky, but the 250.5 can be the sweet spot.[/quote]

i never liked the x150.5 either. the 250.5 is a way way step up and the 350.5 is also another great step up from the 250.5. the 250.5 has excellent bass slam and control, the 350.5 is little more output but much much better control. definitely worth the jump to the 350.5 if you can afford it.

anthony a. · « **Reply #82 on:** 24 Mar 2008, 10:25 pm »

Quote from: Big Red Machine on 24 Mar 2008, 04:30 pm

X350.5 purchased and being shipped from Pass Labs today.

congrats. let us know how you like it. i am sure you won't be disappointed. btw, whether or not you believe in break in, definitely let it run for 400 hours.

Imperial · « **Reply #83 on:** 24 Mar 2008, 10:45 pm »

Quote from: Telstar on 24 Mar 2008, 05:41 pm

Quote from: Imperial on 23 Mar 2008, 10:40 pm
Edit: Ok, the below was written yesterday.. You mean like for sale on A-Gon an amp also.. Uhm, no, not right now I think.

Oh dudes... (About the amp, nimble info.. )
Yves Bernard Andre designed an amp in 1996 - 7 that he called the YBA Passion 1000. It is a Stereo amplifier
featuring 2 c-cores 1500VA transformers. A C-Core transformer is like a Choke in that it can store amperage for massively quick delivery, eh, it releases the voltage curve more slowly, meaning that the charge time to the caps also is increased, I think? )

Are you sure about the nomeclature?
I think the original YBA was simply called YBA-1. The Passion line came later, and it differs a bit in sound to the classic line, more PRAT, less "magic". Nowadays the best YBA amplifiers that descend from those are called YBA signature.

The Passion 1000 is the biggest but not the best YBA currently in catalogue (they killed the classic line).

I would like to own one, but it is out of my price league for now (both the yba 1 and the signature).
I'm thinking to get a YBA-2, it is only 70W (100 measured) but should "suffit" for me

I'm also going to listen to a full YBA signature setup next week.

Uhm nomeclature? A new word for me, I'm a Norwegian ...

Anyway, I see some details was most likely wrong there yeah, But hey it's 9 years since the tech stuff was written in Stereophile..
Dude! My memory is only so good!

Yes, I know of the much weaker siblings (They do sound better? Ok! )... but BRM wanted 250w or more.

Imperial

Telstar · « **Reply #84 on:** 25 Mar 2008, 09:31 pm »

Quote from: anthony a. on 24 Mar 2008, 10:24 pm

i never liked the x150.5 either. the 250.5 is a way way step up and the 350.5 is also another great step up from the 250.5. the 250.5 has excellent bass slam and control, the 350.5 is little more output but much much better control. definitely worth the jump to the 350.5 if you can afford it.

Unfortunately i cannot. The 250.5, used, would be already a stretch of my budget (thanks to the horrible euro prices).
That's why i'm considering also the old Forté and Threshold models, supposed to have a better control and still some of the mid magic of the x.5 series.

s_cervin · « **Reply #85 on:** 25 Mar 2008, 09:51 pm »

Quote from: Big Red Machine on 24 Mar 2008, 04:30 pm

X350.5 purchased and being shipped from Pass Labs today.

Can't wait to hear it Sat. Can you email me the directions again

Telstar · « **Reply #86 on:** 25 Mar 2008, 10:05 pm »

Quote from: Imperial on 24 Mar 2008, 10:45 pm

Uhm nomeclature? A new word for me, I'm a Norwegian ...
Anyway, I see some details was most likely wrong there yeah, But hey it's 9 years since the tech stuff was written in Stereophile..

I mean model names

I'm Italian

BTW, if u know the less powerful models very well, wanna give me some advice in my thread?

Imperial · « **Reply #87 on:** 25 Mar 2008, 10:38 pm »

I've only seen the pictures of the models you are thinking about Telstar, the smaller YBA models, so I don't know a lot about those.

Imperial

Big Red Machine · « **Reply #88 on:** 28 Mar 2008, 07:17 pm »

Well the Pass showed up. It has smooth all over it but is a controlling beast. While a string is plucked the earth can be moving beneath with an iron fist. It is amazing what a very good amp can do for the soul. I think my HT3's have met their match. This just seems to do everything right. Let's see how long I live with it after I run it thru its paces.

rydenfan · « **Reply #89 on:** 28 Mar 2008, 07:35 pm »

Quote from: Big Red Machine on 28 Mar 2008, 07:17 pm

Well the Pass showed up. It has smooth all over it but is a controlling beast. While a string is plucked the earth can be moving beneath with an iron fist. It is amazing what a very good amp can do for the soul. I think my HT3's have met their match. This just seems to do everything right. Let's see how long I live with it after I run it thru its paces.

Congrats! I am thrilled you are pleased with your purchase. I look forward to more reviews of it.

Big Red Machine · « **Reply #90 on:** 28 Mar 2008, 07:58 pm »

It is a refurbished unit with a year warranty. Came direct from Pass in CA. All new bias settings and complete tune up. So it is 'new' and only has about 2 hours on it. I left the SB running in repeat mode to run it in and see how hot the room gets!

rydenfan · « **Reply #91 on:** 28 Mar 2008, 08:07 pm »

Quote from: Big Red Machine on 28 Mar 2008, 07:58 pm

It is a refurbished unit with a year warranty. Came direct from Pass in CA. All new bias settings and complete tune up. So it is 'new' and only has about 2 hours on it. I left the SB running in repeat mode to run it in and see how hot the room gets!

I believe it is 40 watts of pure Class A, right? And the meter on the front shows what it is in. I imagine it could get a little toasty in there

Big Red Machine · « **Reply #92 on:** 29 Mar 2008, 01:43 pm »

I might need a better preamp now.

rydenfan · « **Reply #93 on:** 29 Mar 2008, 02:20 pm »

Quote from: Big Red Machine on 29 Mar 2008, 01:43 pm

I might need a better preamp now.

Isn't that always the way? I know you are currently into SS and not tubes. But, I received my Modwright LS 36.5 yesterday and I am simply floored. You can see more detailed impressions from me here:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1013221

I am in the exact opposite situation, with the addition of the preamp I think I need a better amp

Big Red Machine · « **Reply #94 on:** 29 Mar 2008, 03:46 pm »

Okay we'll swap. Wait. That won't work! I wonder how the MW would work with the Pass? I ordered a highly modified PS Audio DacIII yesterday. Maybe I'll moce my Bel Canto to my second system. hmmmm

rydenfan · « **Reply #95 on:** 29 Mar 2008, 04:16 pm »

Quote from: Big Red Machine on 29 Mar 2008, 03:46 pm

Okay we'll swap. Wait. That won't work! I wonder how the MW would work with the Pass? I ordered a highly modified PS Audio DacIII yesterday. Maybe I'll moce my Bel Canto to my second system. hmmmm

I am sure the MW and Pass would be pure audio nirvana

If I had the room that is what I would go with. I am thinking about trying out the Nuforce Ref 9 V2 SE's. Does anyone have any experience with them?

Big Red Machine · « **Reply #96 on:** 29 Mar 2008, 04:28 pm »

Don't know about Nuforce, but any Class D I have had was lacking in something. Usually bass.

rydenfan · « **Reply #97 on:** 29 Mar 2008, 04:37 pm »

That has been my experience as well, but people really seem to be digging them. Ted_b found them to be on par with his McCormack DNA 500. An I usually agree with Robert Levi's reports:
http://www.positive-feedback.com/Issue33/nuforce.htm

If I can steal a pair of the Agon I may give them a shot. I am currently running a Cary Cinema 5.

Toka · « **Reply #98 on:** 30 Mar 2008, 02:25 am »

Quote from: rydenfan on 29 Mar 2008, 04:16 pm

If I had the room that is what I would go with. I am thinking about trying out the Nuforce Ref 9 V2 SE's. Does anyone have any experience with them?

The V2 SE's are really, really nice. Absolutely worth a listen.