Aleph 3 owner here. Pass Labs is the real deal and Nelson Pass is a national treasure. He freely gives his knowledge to the DIY community. Great stuff!

Nelson Pass is the man. He’s also a very nice guy. How many electronics designers share their philosophy with the other designers? I know he does.

Nelson Pass is the only reason needed to buy from Pass Labs, his design philosophy is top notch.

I run big OTL triode monoblocs and love the sound. If I am at an audio show, I go from room to room without being grabbed by the sound. Multiple times I went into rooms with big Pass amps often paired with Gershwin speakers and I am drawn into the sound well before I know which amps I am hearing. Also, if you are into DIY, you have to love Nelson. He spends the first 2 hours of each day on the internet collaborating with his DIY followers. They love him. And he gets lots of research from his disciples in return. He gives back to the community. His First Watt amps typically had a limited production run. Then after a couple of years, he publishes the design to the DIY community. All these people have the famous First Watt amps at pennies on the dollar to enjoy. Knowing they built it themselves with the help of the master. Nobody does more for the community than Nelson.

Steve's review played a part in my purchase of a Pass Labs INT250. And after 12 months with it I could not be happier. It sounds better the more I listen to it. And is by far the best amp I've owned over 30 years which includes mid end valve monoblocks. But it's not the amp to own if you have touchy neighbours though. The seismic bottom end will shake the ground, but it's not an out and out muscle amp. It has finesse detail, zing and air that is so valve like but with solid state control. Many a time I'm simply drawn into the music and forget about my critical ears. I'd have no problem recommending this to anyone. Maybe it's a bit pricey but it's worth every penny.

I got my Passlabs X150.8 last year - best buy I ever made. After 35 years of looking, I found my end-game amp. The only caveat: The amps should come with a gym membership - mine weighs 63 pounds:)

My XP-22 had a failed Darlington transistor which caused terrible static and power surges to the speakers. I thought it was the XA30.8 so sent that in for repair first, then diagnosed the problem as originating from the preamp. Pass Labs restored both units to factory spec without charge (I had to pay for shipping). Excellent service and I am incredibly happy to have my Pass gear ip and running again!

I’ve owned Pass gear for a long time now. These points are all on point. Great company to deal with, great sound, robust, and indeed, these are final purchases

The big pure class A Pass Labs amps are the best solid state amps I've ever heard. They were in a system with Martin Logans.

You used a wonderful preamp and you have a really clear understanding that synergy in putting together a Music system is possibly the most important or one of the most important aspects of achieving wonderful sound.

I love my Firstwatt J2/Zu Omen Def combo. I'm thinking of moving to a 30.8

Just recently acquired an XA25power and xp-22 pre-and yeah,this is my end game combo. All the pro's you mentioned but not too mental on the leccy!. Love the cool,purposeful,understated design-they also look great with Oracle cd player and turntable.But that pure class A sound-just lets me melt into the music-or is it the other way round? Dunno,but don't really care -the other end of my room has effectively disappeared into a holographic 3-d soundscape. A truly transporting experience-that doesn't break the law,although it is highly addictive. Hats off to Nelson and Wayne,very talented and humble guy's,not many of them left in the world. Thanks for another great vid and Cheers from Sunny Scotland.

I have the First Watt F7. I can understand what you’re talking about. I haven’t it that long. But I agree with it being built well. The F7 had a sound that I enjoy. First Watt and their service is 👌. The F7 weighs about 30 pounds. But I don’t mind it to much. And it definitely can get hit with it being Class A. But the weight and temperature is overshadowed by the build quality, sound, service.

I own an HK Citation 12 with the Nelson Pass mod and my daily driver for my 1.7i Maggies is a Pass designed ADCOM GFA555 modded with a 2nd PS including toroidal xformer. He is one of the #1 legends in the field!

With class A, it takes 2 hours for them to blossom. So around 2 hours of warm up time. Personal experience with first watt sit3

Nelson has an interesting history ...........remember Treshold. They offer a honest amplification........faults ( and qualities ) of sources , cables and speakers are revealed .

Pass labs are amazing! Would like to hear your views on Accuphase amps

I'm currently burning in an Int-25 powering Zu Omen DWs. Loving the sound so far. Much more sophisticated sound than my previous Densen pre/power. Instruments, especially strings sound more realistic and tuneful.

True- on the quality and support ! I got even a chance to talk with Nelson Pass when I had question on the amp! So even so Kind of nelson to talk to an end customer!

same experience...no issues evver....and the class a amps are very special...

Install a ductless mini split HVAC system. There is very noise compared to any other kind of HVAC installation. The air and heat jut falls out of the wall unit and for an audiophile they are excellent companions that do not interfere with the music. I installed a Samsung system and never looked back.

A McIntosh is a life time lasting piece of electronics and is made in the US as well. And the Mac sound is so unique... Nothing against Pass Labs, but the Mac has a warmer sound - in my opinion.

Ahhhhh . . . meters. Couldn’t agree more. Beautiful.

I just had my Crown Straight Line Two preamp and Power Line Three power amp recapped after having them for about 40 years with only marginal improvement in sound quality. I was a bit disappointed in that but at the same time very impressed with the long-term reliability and quality. I'd love to audition some newer amps like McIntosh, Pass, Marantz and some others just to hear some differing sound qualities. It would be fun.

What is the synergy with the Klipsch Heritage line? I am thinking about getting the Pass Labs XA60.8 with a Pass pre-amp for my Klipsch Forte IV's but wonder if they would mesh well.

Would love to hear your evaluation of the Passlabs XP-12 preamp.

The meters look gorgeous. But what are they actually indicating?

I have been enjoying my Crown Straight Line 2 preamp and my twin Crown Straight Line 3 power amps for the past 40 odd years and recently had them recapped. The expected improvement that I was expecting really wasn't that noticeable. I am now considering a McIntosh MAC7200 receiver to be paired up with either Klipsch Cornwalls or Tannoy Ardens. Being high efficiency speakers, I'm concerned with the Crowns being just a bit noisy at lower volume levels with those type of speakers. I am now running ESS AMT 1a's that I have had since the mid 70's. Comments??

id love to hear or take a look at pass labs... but being in Canada I cant find a dealer anywhere

Love your videos, especially this one. Any chance of reviewing the new Vinnie Rossi Brama integrated amp? Thanks.

This information is Spot On Thank you

I have an XA25 in a 18x18' room (diagonal set up), and. consider it plenty with an 87 dB sensitivity speaker (PearlAcoustics Sibelius SG). Why do you run 60 W class A monoblocks in your 13x18' room? It certainly generates MUCH more heat.

I hope some day you review the gryphon amps

My first choice is USA made. My second choice is any foreign manufacturer that is not engaged in a quest for on world domination or massive human rights abuses, for example China and Russia.

Thank you

I love my Coda :)

Hi there, I have one X1 more than 15 years, I’m happy with it! But I loss X1 remote controller, anyway to buy another one? Or you provide a solution though on the shelf universal remote controller?

Was interested in trying an XA25 but am hesitant because I usually see them paired with high efficiency speakers. I have speakers in the 86-89 db efficiency range and listen around 80 db, and I’m not sure if the XA25 can handle that.

Would you pair an int 60 or int250 with Dynaudio heritage specials I currently have on my main floor focal sopra 3 with Luxman 509 Wondering your opinion, I could get either

Hi, do you think the X-205.8 will match well with a PS Audio BHK SIGNATURE PreAmp ? Thanks!!! I will appreciate your help!!!

I've been intrigued by Pass Labs integrated amps. I know you have a history with them before moving on to separates. I've had a Bryston B60 that is going on 20+ years. Another company with a great customer service, incredible reliability, and while not made in the US, close enough with production in Canada. If you've had any experience with Bryston, I'm wondering what differences I would experience with Pass (going from class AB to A amplification). Thanks!

I would like to purchase PL unfortunately in my country they are very very expensive as is McIntosh the $ exchange rate and obviously freight cost also come into play as does the amount of second hand amps available on the market..I dare say some second Pass Labs here sell for more then the original recommended retail price...

I had a XP10 and a X350.5 - also played around with the XP20. But i was not impressed at all. I guess i don't like the typical us voicing and the 350w were very underwhelming. Their higher tier might be better and I'm sure they are - but i'm never going Pass again..

Exactly

What do u use as a music source (for someone w no record albums)?

So why I should choose Pass ? I'm only messing;)

I wouldn't call it an investment however.

Legend!

I wish there were a way that manufactures can do what they are doing in the car industry with the interior ambient lighting and offer the ability to change the colour of the lighting. I really loathe blue in the home, for me it is brighter and colder. I would love like you get on the EAT amps, a warm amber colour or a green, it would just relax me more. Blue just annoys me. Surely this can´t be a hard thing to offer these days?

I had. X350.8 and at times it was magnificent but after listening to it for a few months started feeling that lots of music started sounding generic like. It was a great amp for rock and blues and some jazz but not classical. Now I have a Conrad Johnson Premiere 12 mono blocks and they definitely give me more detail and doesn’t get in the way of the music. I’m not completely there yet but definitely closer. Passes customer service is amazing too and one gets the feeling that they have a lot of integrity. Oh, and the Pass heated up the whole house and ate electricity like no tomorrow.

Wish you had a 502 review coming as well. 😉

I have a 35 y old Marantz amp & its still going strong! So I wouldn't be raving about Pass Labs considering their ridiculous price tags..

Agree on the build quality and customer service, but seriously they are not end game amps, at most mid fi. I am happy with my Dartzeel and Pilium amps.

those sharp heat sink edges…

but does reliabilty of PASS Labs means they rely on old, tried and tested technology with very little innovation so they cannot compete with Gryphon nor Boulder amp cutting edge tech ?

They will get back to you ? Are we lowering the bar

An investment?

Reason #1 because Nagra is ridiculous over priced garbage. 🤡👍

What happened to your love affair with the Devialet? 🤔

Never say never