Pass Labs pt.3 – The X250.8 Amplifier Review
I’m here to tell you, the Pass Labs X250.8 amplifier is…
I’ll finish that sentence later. It’s my version of a teaser trailer. But first, a little informational
infill. Backtracking, if you will… After
all, this is “part three”.
In the first
installment of my Pass Labs series, I introduced you to a fellow named
Nelson Pass, the godfather of much in the amplifier world, including the 95-pound
powerhouse residing in my stereo rig. Part
2 was your introduction to the Pass Labs “Point 8” series of
amplifiers.
In today’s part
trois, let’s focus on the afore-mentioned X250.8 stereo amplifier. With 250 watts into an 8-ohm speaker, double
that rating into 4-ohms, this amp won’t drive your auntie to church, but it
will drive nearly any speaker out there, and do so without raising a sonic
eyebrow. I won’t geek you out with slew
rates and damping factors, but I will tell you that build quality is top shelf
and the design has just enough subtle “audio jewelry” to delight the audiophile
crowd. Pride of ownership is part of the
equation after all. Try to avoid being
impressed by the Furutech speaker cable binding posts on the rear panel or the hypnotizing
blue glow of the bias meter on the front...!
While most of my critical listening is done seated in the
“sweet spot” in front of the stereo, I also pay attention to what it is like
living with audio gear, having music playing while reading, cooking or
entertaining. Summed up, all
perspectives can be revelatory, including the reactions of other unwitting
guest “reviewers”. As an example, a
longtime friend of mine, an accomplished and talented female jazz singer,
commented on the “incredible intimacy between mic and voice” that the amp put
forth.
Some other notes from my listening… Let’s start with The Civil Wars from their
EP Between the Bars. Listen to their cover of M.J.’s Billie Jean and specifically John Paul
White’s vocal work. The detail of
technique and emotion presented by the Pass Labs amp is spot on. Now go to layered vocals such as the
Fairfield Four or even backing vocals with multiple singers and everything is
correctly represented as singular parts of a whole, as opposed to a mash-up of
voices. This excellent separation of singularities
carries over into classical music, while listening to the various sections of
an orchestra. You don’t hear a blur of
cellos, but the singular instruments working in concert. (was that a pun?)
Jazz anyone?
How ‘bout some big band from Dave Holland’s Overtime album. A lessor amp will present this combo of
multiple saxophones, trumpets, trombones, a vibe/marimba and of course drums
and Mr. Holland on bass as a slightly cacophonous mess when the whole band energetically
riffs. Not so with the Pass Labs. Everything makes perfect sonic sense, from
the scale and location of the instruments to the tonal colors and
dynamics.
Even hard rock/metal works with the X250.8. Think of Maynard James Keenan’s offshoot band A Perfect
Circle and the opening cut The Package
from their Thirteenth Step CD, or
some Nine Inch Nails or Disturbed’s latest.
The crunch of the guitars, power of the drums and drive of the bass are
all present and accounted for in a palpable, real-life manner. Trust me, I did that stuff (rock and roll
bassist) for 12 years.
As you are starting to realize, all genres of music flow
correctly from the Pass Labs amp. There
is no bias toward intimate jazz or chamber music, as some audio gear is wont to
do. Craving a listen to J.T. or Mary J? Go right ahead… It will rock your world!
And now for today’s Q and A…
·
Can an amplifier be appropriately authoritative
and refined at the same time?
·
Can an amplifier be catlike nimble and still contain
a drop of honey when called for?
·
And can it achieve this without changing or
“coloring” the intended sonic presentation?
The answer is an unequivocal YES…!
Along with my home system, I have heard the Pass Labs .8
amplifiers in multiple systems with many different brands of speakers, cables,
digital or analog sources and so on. The
result is always the same. I am pulled
into the music. Are there other similarly
priced amplifiers that will give it a run for the money? Products from Constellation Audio, Simaudio,
Hegel or Gryphon Audio come to mind, but do they have that certain something?
Hocus Pocus…
To my ears there is a little magic going on here. I think what Nelson Pass and his team have
done is to create an amplifier that viscerally connects you to the heart and
soul of the musician(s) you are listening to.
Clever and inventive engineering combined with exhaustively thorough
listening tests have done the trick.
…the Pass Labs 250.8 amplifier is… amazing!
13395 New Airport Rd.
Ste. G
Auburn, CA 95602
(530) 878-5350
· Parasound Zdac dac
· Simaudio Moon P3 preamp
· Meridian G57 amp
· Dynaudio Contour S3.4 speakers
· Richard Gray power
· Cables from Transparent, Zu Audio and A.R.T. Audio
· Dedicated 20-amp home circuit
· All music in FLAC format
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