I have owned a number of reasonable quality amps over the years - Linn, Parasound, NAD, Emotiva. I finally got a Pass XA25 and the difference is truly stunning. Can't recommend highly enough.
Jay, the title of this video is way too much click bait for it's own good, any audiophile knows that the words "Pass Labs" and "is it any good?" do not belong in the same phrase. It is a lack of respect for the acclaimed work of this company...but not intentionally I am certain.
The Pass magic is even more evident under the First Watt brand. with the proper speaker pairing, it can be quite amazing. I have the SIT3 First Watt amp that is pure magic and at a great price too !
I HAD A PASS AMP 2YRS OUT OF WARRANTY, THEY CALLED ME ONE DAY AND SENT UPS TO PICKUP MY AMP, THEY REPLACED MY BIAS POTS, THEY PAID POSTAGE BOTH WAYS, NO-CHARGE, AND I NEVER CALLED THEM -EVER, A GREAT COMPANY- GREAT PRODUCTS------10 OUT OF 10.....
On behalf of Pass Labs, I would like to thank you for pointing out how far they are willing to go to stand behind their products. It would be a shame for a company to do that and not get recognized for it.
I will never be able to afford any of the equipment that you talk about but I love your enthusiasm and honesty. It's all a learning experience for me as I have never heard of some of the equipment. Great channel!
Hi Jay, big fan here... May i request you to do a similar test on Devialet Expert Pro hybrid amps which I'm sure will be interesting to see for us all... Keep up the good work man
Thanks for taking the time to post this. Ditto: I appreciate the content where you discuss your personal XP with gear, much more than just the music only uploads. I tend not to bother with those. I especially find this sort of content valuable, since you seem to be only one that is providing information on products in this price & performance category.
I’ve owned Pasx gear for 5 years. Xp32 pre p, Xp 22 pre amp, x27 phono, CA 30.8 power 1. Sounds fantastic 2. Service impeccable 3. Build quality extremely solid 4. Class A amps run very hot The amp runs so hot that during summer months in NYC I remove the amp and replace it with 2 class D mono blocks Passlabs gear can be compared to any companies gear Gryphon CH precision Soulution Constellation D’agostino
Nelson Pass always oversizes the output stage and under sizes the PSU very rare to get failures this way , it was the same wth his Threshold amps , Threshold or Pass Lab amps are Bullet proof amps ..
Nice Wilsons and I have seen the 300s set up and played. I had also heard that Pass Labs were designed to stay on 24/7 for 20 yrs. The key to Pass Labs and companies like PS audio is not that they are expensive but the way they are built. The most important thing however is the fact that if you have a problem Pass Labs and PS Audio will do whatever it takes to make it right. There is nothing worse than paying big $ and having a problem and not getting any help.
I was thinking about the XP-12 preamp with XA30.8 or XA60.8, but I also saw a used CH Precision A1 for 16,500 and I’m thinking if it might be better, but maybe I’m influenced by the name of the company and prestige
What's interesting is, I follow over 20 youtube reviewers and as best as I can gather, not one brand serves as reference for more than one reviewer, EXCEPT for Pass Labs which is the reference for four reviewers.
Do any viewers here have any experience listening to the Pass Labs XP-20 Preamplifier? It's a combination of a preamp & power source...So, 2 seperate consoles Thanks!
Love it Keep it real Jay! I heard a lot of these products at shows it means very little, your first-hand experience is of incredible value and I take your word for it!
My brother bought a top of the line marantz that failed and caused a feed back issue that impacted a Pass lab amp that was out of warranty. He called Pass Labs and they STILL fixed the problem. Marantz took a week just to answer his email.
I can't understand that they don't make more small pure class A amps. Even if they are expensive, still a lot of audiophiles would buy them, without the massive power consumption wnd 20-100 w isn't too hard on power (especially if you have solar).
@@henriksrensen3220 Personal tastes may differ. The overall better product IMO is Pass (with more realistic price tag and more natural sound and better service which is almost never needed because of undisputed reliability). Danish products overrated & over priced 🇺🇸🇺🇸💪🏼💪🏼
@@bikemike1118 hahaha pass labs is ridiculously overpriced. Remember what jay said about the price on the Gryphon Essence? You have to spend double to get same quality. Gryphon is simply better sound quality than overpriced pass labs. The same with Audiovector speakers. Do you remember what jay said when he listened to Audiovector? He could not believe that the price was only 15000$ as they sounded much more expensive.🇩🇰🇩🇰💪
@@bikemike1118 pass labs is good sound, but they don't do anything exellent, nothing makes your jaw drop, like Gryphon amplifiers do. Gryphon is in another league compared to Pass Labs. 🇩🇰🇩🇰🇩🇰👌
@@henriksrensen3220 that’s only your opinion. I‘m sure you haven’t heard Pass in person nor did you own and experience them in your own home system. Everything is also a matter of personal preferences AND system synergy. If you wanna hear for example Jeff Rowland 625 simply blow away Gryphon Mephisto in comparison…go watch the vid where Mikey and Jay do a one-to-one comparison between the two…you will be surprised that an American amp for a third of the Mephisto MSRP sonically wins all the way down! Good bye 😘
@@abbersj2935 That's true, at the very bottom, you can build a Nelson Pass designed Amp Camp Kit for under $350, but he was commenting on the heat output and current draw of $80,000 amps in the video.
The Pass Lab XP-33 preamp is not "subpar" to any Luxman preamp. Different, yes, in no sense completely inferior. Subpar means unacceptable, such is not the case w/Pass Labs.
I have owned a number of reasonable quality amps over the years - Linn, Parasound, NAD, Emotiva. I finally got a Pass XA25 and the difference is truly stunning. Can't recommend highly enough.
Jay, the title of this video is way too much click bait for it's own good, any audiophile knows that the words "Pass Labs" and "is it any good?" do not belong in the same phrase. It is a lack of respect for the acclaimed work of this company...but not intentionally I am certain.
The Pass magic is even more evident under the First Watt brand. with the proper speaker pairing, it can be quite amazing. I have the SIT3 First Watt amp that is pure magic and at a great price too !
What speaker(s) are you pairing your SIT-3 with? Thanks!
I HAD A PASS AMP 2YRS OUT OF WARRANTY, THEY CALLED ME ONE DAY AND SENT UPS TO PICKUP MY AMP, THEY REPLACED MY BIAS POTS, THEY PAID POSTAGE BOTH WAYS, NO-CHARGE, AND I NEVER CALLED THEM -EVER, A GREAT COMPANY- GREAT PRODUCTS------10 OUT OF 10.....
Jay I have Pass Labs X 1 pre amp and X600 mono blocs and you are 100% right their service is second to none.
Yes
On behalf of Pass Labs, I would like to thank you for pointing out how far they are willing to go to stand behind their products. It would be a shame for a company to do that and not get recognized for it.
I will never be able to afford any of the equipment that you talk about but I love your enthusiasm and honesty. It's all a learning experience for me as I have never heard of some of the equipment. Great channel!
Thank you 👍
Hi Jay, big fan here... May i request you to do a similar test on Devialet Expert Pro hybrid amps which I'm sure will be interesting to see for us all... Keep up the good work man
Expert pro is not good enough. I had Devialet amp for 6 months.
Thanks for taking the time to post this. Ditto: I appreciate the content where you discuss your personal XP with gear, much more than just the music only uploads. I tend not to bother with those. I especially find this sort of content valuable, since you seem to be only one that is providing information on products in this price & performance category.
I think Pass Labs is very good gear! Works well with many kinds of speakers! Good stuff!
Have you reviewed any Ayre equipment? Any general summaries? Thank you.
I really want a pass labs for my Sonus Faber vintage minima
Love your straight talk Jay. No fucking bullshit!
I’ve owned Pasx gear for 5 years. Xp32 pre p, Xp 22 pre amp, x27 phono, CA 30.8 power
1. Sounds fantastic
2. Service impeccable
3. Build quality extremely solid
4. Class A amps run very hot
The amp runs so hot that during summer months in NYC I remove the amp and replace it with 2 class D mono blocks
Passlabs gear can be compared to any companies gear
Gryphon
CH precision
Soulution
Constellation
D’agostino
Thank you once again for a forthright and insightful video. Wondering if you ever plan on a pair of Bryston 28B 3 mono-blocks?
No i don't
Love the Pass Amp sound, Pass labs people, Pass Labs resale. Yes not cheap but excellent value.
Mr Pass best solid state guy ever.
Nelson Pass always oversizes the output stage and under sizes the PSU very rare to get failures this way , it was the same wth his Threshold amps , Threshold or Pass Lab amps are Bullet proof amps ..
All his first-watt stuff is very under-driven. Low voltages on the transformers.
Love your content! I am located in Florida as well. In Clermont. Hope all is well.
Nice Wilsons and I have seen the 300s set up and played. I had also heard that Pass Labs were designed to stay on 24/7 for 20 yrs. The key to Pass Labs and companies like PS audio is not that they are expensive but the way they are built. The most important thing however is the fact that if you have a problem Pass Labs and PS Audio will do whatever it takes to make it right. There is nothing worse than paying big $ and having a problem and not getting any help.
Would be interested to know if you've reviewed any Nagra gear?
Is that tattoo on the left or right channel?
I was thinking about the XP-12 preamp with XA30.8 or XA60.8, but I also saw a used CH Precision A1 for 16,500 and I’m thinking if it might be better, but maybe I’m influenced by the name of the company and prestige
What's interesting is, I follow over 20 youtube reviewers and as best as I can gather, not one brand serves as reference for more than one reviewer, EXCEPT for Pass Labs which is the reference for four reviewers.
I see
Pass Labs, XA 100.5 used for 8k usd are that a decent price or to expensive.
Do any viewers here have any experience listening to
the Pass Labs XP-20 Preamplifier? It's a combination of a preamp & power source...So, 2 seperate consoles
Thanks!
How are Pass Labs integrated amps?
Very nice amplifiers i think. I don't think they are as good as Gryphon integrated though.
Very good Video ! Thank you !
Nice commentary video Jay. I just hope the heat and power is worth the sound quality.
It truly is worth it. Not many Class A amps are worth it. Pass Labs & First Watt are.
The answer, in waaaay less than sixteen minutes, is "yes, it is very good indeed".
Love it Keep it real Jay! I heard a lot of these products at shows it means very little, your first-hand experience is of incredible value and I take your word for it!
“Owned?” No way you’ve owned each of those amplifiers, unless you’re a Dealer.😂
what do i think about Nelson's amps ?....I'll Pass
Why?
Don’t knock something you have never tried. The only similarity between a Ford and a Lamborghini is that they are both cars.
My brother bought a top of the line marantz that failed and caused a feed back issue that impacted a Pass lab amp that was out of warranty. He called Pass Labs and they STILL fixed the problem. Marantz took a week just to answer his email.
GLobal Warming --->Do we still need CLass A amps? Maybe for demo purposes not for regular use.
Your home vs 🏭. It's OK
Mcgary Audio would replace the product if one was brighter than the other. I should know he did it for me. And lifetime warranty
Why not invent a class A amp for upper med and treble and class D for Bass and lower med.
A hybrid design? That could be interesting.
Because the idle/minimum power draw wouldn’t be affected by the change.
Well linn do a semi active speaker that runs active AB for bass and passive for mids and upper.
I can't understand that they don't make more small pure class A amps. Even if they are expensive, still a lot of audiophiles would buy them, without the massive power consumption wnd 20-100 w isn't too hard on power (especially if you have solar).
PASS Labs 💪🏼 …. love it! Great review btw, Jay, very informative and honest (as always) 👌🏼
Jay prefer Gryphon over pass 🇩🇰🇩🇰💪
@@henriksrensen3220 Personal tastes may differ. The overall better product IMO is Pass (with more realistic price tag and more natural sound and better service which is almost never needed because of undisputed reliability). Danish products overrated & over priced 🇺🇸🇺🇸💪🏼💪🏼
@@bikemike1118 hahaha pass labs is
ridiculously overpriced. Remember what jay said about the price on the Gryphon Essence?
You have to spend double to get same quality. Gryphon is simply better sound quality than overpriced pass labs.
The same with Audiovector speakers. Do you remember what jay said when he listened to Audiovector?
He could not believe that the price was only 15000$ as they sounded much more expensive.🇩🇰🇩🇰💪
@@bikemike1118 pass labs is good sound, but they don't do anything exellent, nothing makes your jaw drop, like Gryphon amplifiers do.
Gryphon is in another league compared to Pass Labs.
🇩🇰🇩🇰🇩🇰👌
@@henriksrensen3220 that’s only your opinion. I‘m sure you haven’t heard Pass in person nor did you own and experience them in your own home system. Everything is also a matter of personal preferences AND system synergy. If you wanna hear for example Jeff Rowland 625 simply blow away Gryphon Mephisto in comparison…go watch the vid where Mikey and Jay do a one-to-one comparison between the two…you will be surprised that an American amp for a third of the Mephisto MSRP sonically wins all the way down! Good bye 😘
Cliffhanger... you bastard ;-) Please post part 2 posthaste.
8 minutes and I cant listen anymore. I'll Pass.
If you can afford 80-odd thousand dollars for an amp, you probably don't care about your electric bill.
They start at about $4000 for First Watt products. (Some even less).
@@abbersj2935 That's true, at the very bottom, you can build a Nelson Pass designed Amp Camp Kit for under $350, but he was commenting on the heat output and current draw of $80,000 amps in the video.
$85k per a mono amp???
Where do you get all your money from Jay🤦♂️🤷♂️
Pass Labs, designed for those living in Iceland.
If you are paying that much for powerfull class As they should at least come with ten kilowatts of solar cells.
we really need to be ignoring pass and talking about coda and threshold wtf is wrong with you ppl
Jay doesn't seem to know much of anything I am afraid....
Blah blah blah
Pass Labs will always be subpar to Luxman and Simaudio.
In what way?
Good luck selling Simaudio gear. Horrible Resale value regardless of how it sounds. Buy one your stuck with it
The Pass Lab XP-33 preamp is not "subpar" to any Luxman preamp. Different, yes, in no sense completely inferior.
Subpar means unacceptable, such is not the case w/Pass Labs.
Luxman is good if you like that sleepy kind of sound , if not , Pass and go with Pass Labs
:)
@@audiohertz2341 Exactly, and no Pass Labs has made the Jay’s list of top amplifiers… So someone has to read between the lines here.
Alien 👾 amps and speakers
we are so lacky that you have amps and speakes from planet earth
A system up to 5000 with great music 🎶