Pass Labs; the sound (my opinion) 

You did a smart thing, thanks for sharing your insight. Again, very smart choice.

I have listened to most things in the world, under a lot of different conditions. (we are literally talking about at least 80% of the gear out there) I have owned a lot of gear, and visited a lot of places. And payed crazy amounts of money for HIFI, testing the limits of everything I could get a hold of. Plus I have had access to some of the smartest engineers, helping me with modifying gear. (I have heard a lot of unofficial parts from many companies, on other types of brands, fully understanding what quality of parts they use and their philosophy) I have also heard unreleased beta gear that is like 10 years into the future, that is far ahead of the current standard. I own a Level 3 audio note system, and one of my friends owns the best streamer in the world. So I have been able to see a different angle on the sound from all kinds of brands. I am just a sound obsessed guy who want's what is closest to perfection. Pass Labs is above the standard, pretty decent brand, okay price, lots of potential. But like a lot of high end brands, it is a bit too grey/digital/focused on the structural part of the sound. The weakest point is without a doubt their preamps, which still is one of the better ones on the transistor market. (their top preamp 30 and 32 model) I prefer Nagra and especially Spectral in regards to transistor sound, much more evolved in every aspect. But again, that of course comes with a steeper price. But again, I prefer the even better mid to top audio note gear under extreme conditions, that only I and a few other can fully tune in to. But I am definitely not trashing Pass Labs, they are way above the trashy standard that is so popular, and around the same price. I am just saying what I am saying because I am not sponsored, and I want to see change, and I hate normal, and most channels saying the same stuff. I might be sponsored tomorrow, and then suddenly, I have to take all of that back, LOL. But hey, you might own Pass Labs, and I definitely don't want to offend you. So let me give you a Pass Labs complement: If I had not heard the circa top 50 better brands out there, I might easily consider owning some of the Pass Labs models. You can't get higher praise than that from me. It's a brand a bit like Monitor Audio: surprisingly good, as long as you do certain things with it. You can't say that about most of the brands out there.

@@RealHIFIHelp I find it very hard to believe that you have listened to most audio gear in the world

Seems like an okay match that should be able to sound good, especially because of the cardas, which is a good negotiator between brands. Lindemann Musicbook Source I don't think I have heard and Paradigm persona I have definitely not heard. But they look a lot like they are gonna sound like a Monitor Audio pl200. So you might also want to hear that.

Did you ever get an EAR 868? I have a EAR 864 paired to a Pass X250. I like it FAR more than Ayre, Goldmund, or Bryston preamps I have. The Goldmund Mimesis 27+ I had paired gave the best slam and dynamics but the EAR overall was best.

I have that amp with XP-12 and I love it!!

Thanks for the tip.

Look at the old Aleph 3 or 5. A very different kettle of fish.

I would still say that Pass Labs is well above the standard, that is being sold on the market in general.

Send me a mail if you want answers.

I have only heard about 10 setups with them, that were not set up in a proper way to fully understand the sound. It seems to be a brand that has a lot in common with Pass Labs and Mcintosh. But seemed to lag a bit behind their better models. I did not have the interest to pursue listening to more Mark Levinson gear.

I have only heard a limited amount of Krell, and what I heard was that there is far in between the Krell models, and that generally Pass Labs is more consistent and better value. I would take Pass Labs, because it is my opinion that about 40% of Pass Labs is pretty high quality compared to the standard of the market, whereas Krell, it only seemed like about 10% of it was really good and really hard to find and really hard to match right. But I have not heard the new Krell. And some people say that the new Krell is very different in sound signature.

I recently heard the new Pass Labs models, and wrote about it in my book, which my last 2 videos shows a preview of. Contact me per e-mail if you want that book or a consultation.

@@RealHIFIHelp Ok l will view the Last 1 video and if I interested with the book I will email you. Tks for yr reply

I have not heard it. But they look like they are one of the few using good parts inside.

Some few models are pretty good for the price used. But other than that, what Jay from Jays audio lab says about Pass Labs I find to be right on the nail. Watch some of his Pass Labs videos, there are really good. To me personally I would only consider it early in my Hi-Fi journey getting something like a 160 model with a xp30 preamp used. That is really good for the price and a very good inbetween setups kind of sound for me, where you are trying to figure out where you want to go with your sound. But the amps I sent you via e-mail are much much better and much better value. Still that does not make Pass Labs a bad brand. I still think that Pass Labs is one of those things everybody has to give a try at some time in their overall journey. Nice talking to you.

Yes an okay brand, not super but overall okay IMO.

I have not tried the newer stuff. But I expect the newer 160 models to be much better. That is also what I heard from others, but I can't confirm it.

I have not tried the newest Pass Labs. But I know that generally the lowest models are just too vague and weak and empty in sound. But generally even these lower models shows a lot of promise, just like normal mcintosh and accuphase gear. I recommend always getting the 150w circa models and up, and using an audio note m3 signature preamp with it. That controls the sound in such a good way, you would think that it is about on the level of a good d'agostino setup or Gryphon which costs a lot more. (sometimes it even sounds better) If you are looking at gear in this price range. I strongly suggest getting bob carver 180 mono blocks used and then using an audio note m3 preamp, that is even a lot better. Nothing Pass Labs makes at the very top comes close to this sound. Pass Labs= lot of potential from mid to top models and up. But only really with audio note m3 preamps, or at the very minimum they own xp30 or 32 preamps.

@@RealHIFIHelp that pass is only a choice but im looking for a “vintage” amplifier but a new brand like yamaha as series (2200) for example or new Luxmans.My speakers are a JBL L100 classic. Give me some ideas please. Thanks you.

@@carlossommariva7485 Good speaker you have! And yes it could definetely liven up the normal lower end Pass Labs sound and make it a lot better. I would consider these things: 1. YBA ia350 integrated with DAC, lively/fun/a bit exciting with spunk and natural color. But yeah not super powerful heavy and manly and vulgar like most expensive pretend HIFI. And a lot of people are looking for that type of sound. 2. A used Mcintosh ma7000 has a lot of potential and gives a pretty good value on the used market. It could sound pretty good with your speaker, and you could follow my ma6900 video to spice up the sound if you want to. 3. A tubeguru 211 SE could sound very awesome on that speaker, it plays a lot of bass and is very charming an heavy in sound, a bit on the colored side. But also has a huge potential for being modified. 4. YBA a100 heritage integrated amp. Really good value, and can get a lot better. Especially consider this if you like to upgrade the stuff inside, this is like the best value amp for that. I made a video about that. 5. I suggest maybe the old yamaha 2000 model from around year 2006 for ike 1/3 of the new price, it should be very similar to the 2200 model. Yamaha never really go far away from their original sound. 6. Try an EAR 8l6 amp, very good value sound, very diva like in personality and sounds also great with EAR acute cd player. 7. Maybe worth trying an Audio Note basic OTO amplifier on it. They make about 5 levels of it. (the basic models might easily be a bit on the weak side)

Very good value amp. Actually all Hegel are good value, especially the lower models.

Very interesting question... Yeah, musically I think those models are superior with more style/good old daddy sound. But I think Pass Labs is a more clean/minimalistic/less emotional experience, which is more about the crispness/data/movement in a more grey zone area. Meaning that you most likely will be listening to more pling sound effect that is cool with the Pass Labs. Where Luxman is just more transparant and about the substance/music. But yeah I would guess that both are at around the same level, that it is just a question of priority. Just my opinion.

@@RealHIFIHelp thanks for your comment and interpretation. Luxman is the sound of old but it is gold. Others have been able to modernize a bit.

Nice to own for 1 month, but then I'm done with it, because mentally then I can predict what it will do before it happens. Potential, but too hard to close in on the finishing line, leaving me frustrated in the end. Still if I could own this for only 1000 dollars totall, then I guess it could to ome degree be okay for a while, knowing I would have saved a lot of money.

That is why I wrote a circa 800 page book, so people can find the skill of how to pair gear. There it also states what gear Pass Labs designed their amps for. Send me a mail if you want it. realhifihelp@gmail.com

I am not a fan of Denon. If you have to take that brand I recommend the biggest and most expensive and classic model, then maybe there is 1 or 2 models that is okay in my book. Go with Yamaha 1000+ models if you can, that is usually a big upgrade for not much more money, but still a bit similar in sound.

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I agree 110% with you. For me Pass Labs starts with what I think is called 160 model monoblocks and the xp30 preamp. Everything from Pass Labs below that, I simply won't touch. Just like with Mcintosh, I won't touch the models below ma6900 integrated, since it is not a good representation of the brand for me. Maybe you will like the mcintosh ma6900 and especially the ma7000 or the YBA ia350, they are all quite interesting and very different. Nice talking with you.

@@RealHIFIHelp it’s my own fault. Just like Macintosh I let myself get sucked in by their looks and reputation.

@@RealHIFIHelp Macs and Pass Labs entry level stuff is junk!

The X series I also did not like, and their preamps sound sterile and uninspiring. But XA.8 series is a whole different story. XA 60.8 amp is the sweet spot of their power amps, it sounds VERY good and is still in a realistic price category. Lot of people who spend ridiculous amounts of money will never become happy with their gear, because their expectations correlate with the money they spend and that is a big problem imo

@@robertchristou At a certain price point making impressive-sounding gear is not impressive. The fact that they couldn't' make a good integrated amp for $7000 is very unimpressive!

Where did you get the data? Did you listen to it for yourself?

Yes you should take your own advice and try everything on the market like me. Have a nice day.

@@RealHIFIHelpYou clearly state you haven’t listened to the new pass labs stuff? Lol😂 But then you state you have listened to 80% of gear, with as many companies and products out there, I’d call major BS on your thesis.