Initially started as two channel, transformed to MCH system for some times, and now back to two channel only. I'm about 95% of where I want to be as far as the sound is concerned. The music from the system is articulate and dynamic with well fleshed out midrange and excellent harmonics and PRAT.
It has been a long journey. Here's the list of the gears that I had pleasure owning:
PASS Labs XA-30.5
First Watt F5
Rotel RMB1085
Levinson No 335
Pass Labs X3
Aragon 8002
EAD PM2000
Proceed HPA3
Theta Intrepid
Jeff Rowland Model 2
Citation 7.1
Krell KAV-300iL
Classe CAP-151
Parasound JC-2
Conrad Johnson 16LS series 2
McCormack MAP1
Sony TA-P9000ES
Proceed AVP2+6
Meridian G68XXV
Meridian G98DH
Linn Unidisk SC
Bel Canto PL-1A
NAD M55
Denon DVD3910
Marantz SA-15S1
CAL CL2500
CAL CL15
Accustic Arts DAC1 mk3
Musical Fidelity A3 24 DAC
MSB Link DAC iii
B&W Nautilus 804
Revel M20
Bohlender Graebener Radia X
Infinity Interlude IL60
Updates:
6-8-2009
Added Sony SCD-XA5400ES.
7-7-2009
Added Herbie's Iso-Cups.
7-22-2009
Added VTL TL-5.5 preamp.
9-8-2009
Replaced F5 with XA-30.5
9-26-2009
Added Beogram 8000 turntable and EAR 834P phono stage.
10-28-2009
Added Sound Smith SMMC 20CL cartridge.
6-7-2010
Replaced VTL TL-5.5 with Parasound JC-2.
9-15-2010
Added Ayre QB-9 USB DAC. Replaced the amps with ARC VSi60 integrated.
Jylee, I really appreciate this great writeup and your perspective. This helps me to get one step closer to determine what Pass amp I would like to try.
Mjcmt, I'm really interested in your comparison of the Pass amps as I have been thinking about trying one. How is the bass better on the 30.5 vs the F5? Is it a faster amp? Are you any closer to making a decision?
