pass XA25

[hifinutt]

great opportunity for someone [ no connection with me ] pass XA25 for 3.5 k 

https://www.hifi-forsale.co.uk/moreinfo.php?prod_title=Pass_labs_Xa25&p=power_amplifier&prod_id=97889&offset=

 

[Carlbkk1]

That’s odd, I can’t see any photos or a selling price on the ad.

 

[hifinutt]

Price is 3500 but can't see pics 

 

[It Cost How Much!?!]

This is the 3rd nearly new one in the last 6 months, can't be many sold in the UK. 

 

[garn63]

You know when something doesn't quite seem right, even if we can't work it out yet......trust your hunches.

 

[Lawrence001]

Looks genuine to me he's been on there a few years and sold 5 items.

 

[hifinutt]

They are highly thought of , as you know many once they get the taste want to upgrade 

 

[rabski]

I don't think there's anything wrong with the sale or the seller. I do wonder though. I very much respect NP as a designer, but not every one of his designs has been excellent. Bob noted it above, and I have seen at least two come up for sale that have only been owned a relatively short while. Quite possibly people have upgraded, but I have seen a couple of reviewers note that unusually for solid state, they seem to take a long while to come on song. Maybe people are giving up on them too soon?

 

[aliwilson116]

Yeah, I think you've got a point there Rabski. A lot of people seem to go from the xa25 to the 30.8. The general consensus seems to be it's just bigger and better with more heft. Having just acquired the xa25 recently on eBay, I can attest to it needing a good !.5 to 2hrs before it's really on song-but when it does...it's amazing. I personally don't feel the need to go higher as my room isn't huge and my speakers are 90+ db. And the 30.8 is a heavy beast.

The advert on the OP looks like a bargain- run in and virtually new.

My dilemma now, is that I acquired a Townshend Allegri Reference passive pre last year which doesn't match well with the xa25-it apparently needs a wee bit of gain to bring it alive.So, do I do a more or less straight swap for an xp12 or shell out a bit extra for the xp22 ???

I have this nagging suspicion that the xp12 will not be as transparent as the Townshend. But then again the xp's are well matched to the xa25....

Ho Hum,late night luxury problems.

 

[hifinutt]

ah yes i saw your thoughts about this elswhere . there was a lovely ayre kx pre amp on here which might also be an option maybe ??? 

 

[aliwilson116]

Hi Phil,thanks for the suggestion,unfortunately, I have no experience of Ayre products.

They're a bit thin on the ground up here in Darkest Scotland.

 

[hifinutt]

no problem . they are superb pre amps and may be an alternative to pass maybe . the xp12 will not be on the same level as your townshend reference 

the chap selling the ayre is in edinburgh and well known on PFM for many years 

https://pinkfishmedia.net/forum/threads/ayre-kx-5-twenty-preamplifier-excellent-condition-boxed.262788/

 

[aliwilson116]

It does look very tempting,but I'm single-ended in my system and wouldn't be able to take full advantage of the fully balanced design-and it's pretty limited on rca inputs.

P.S. Thanks for the heads up on the XA25-it's the best sound I've had in my front room!

I was surprised after the Townsend didn't hack it that my old DNM 3B was only a bit better-but still not really doing it.

So,off for a rake thru some boxes and found my old Crimson 610 pre. That's at least driving the amp properly but really just giving me a window into what it's capable of.

All good fun and games.....