Point 8 Amplifier What? Pass Labs Pt.2
Music, I say…
Well… Pass Labs doesn’t
make music, rather they make equipment that brings music to your ears. Amplifiers, preamps, integrated amplifiers,
phono stages, blenders (kidding on that one!), even a recently introduced
headphone amplifier are all part of an extensive lineup of products. Nelson is the guiding force behind the
amplifiers, while longtime collaborator Wayne Colburn is the creative lead for
the preamps and phono stages.
As I examined the Pass gear during a recent factory tour, it
became clear all of the products, from the diminutive HPA-1
headphone amplifier to the dual chassis Xs 300 mono amplifier
powerhouse, are designed with a singular vision and built with a degree of
craftsmanship, commitment and teamwork that can be rare to find.The history goes like this: The Pass Labs “X” Series of amplifiers came to market in 1996 initially with the X1000. The numerical value was indeed a power rating, as this was a 1,000-watt Class AB mono-block design. This was followed by the X600 mono and the X350, X250 and X150 stereo amps. Fully Class A amplifiers were added to the X Series in the form of the XA200 and XA160.
With Nelson and crew always tinkering and looking to find
improvements in circuits and sound, the first updates to the X Series began
rolling out in 2005 as the Point 5 Series.
Think X150.5 and so on…
Sure enough, innovation and fine-tuning continued at the
Pass Labs HQ, and out popped the Point 8 amplifiers in 2014. Improvements were made to the input, voltage
gain and output stages of the amplifiers, much of which was trickled-down from
the state-of-the-art Xs amplifiers that debuted in 2012. The result of this work in Nelson’s
words: “…amplifiers that invite you into
the music.”
The current lineup consists of the X150.8, X250.8, X350.8
Class AB stereo amps, X260.8 and X600.8 Class AB mono amps, XA30.8 Class A
stereo amp and the XA60.8, XA100.8, XA160.8 and XA200.8 Class A mono amps.
Do these Point 8 amplifiers truly invite you into the music…? Do they make you smile, make you dance, or
maybe bring a tear to the eye? Stay
tuned for my review of the Pass Labs X250.8 stereo amp and I will share my
results…
Marty Feldmann, The Connoisseur, is the
highly sought after consultant who assists businesses and individual clients with
the acquisition of the finer things life has to offer. Whether you are planning a weekend getaway to
wine country, selecting audio equipment to outfit your home, planning your
dream vacation or purchasing your ultimate transportation, Marty is your
personal connection to the good life…
Marty can be contacted at: 916.952.9529
Marty@ConnoisseurCorner.com