Jay, it will be interesting to hear the Pass x600.8 and if the same flavor of sound continues. It will be interesting to hear/see what changes occur considering thata lot
Jay Pass Labs makes a new amplifier called the XA25. It is pure class A low power design. It's power rating is 25Wpc 8 ohms, 50Wpc 4ohms or 100Wpc into 2 ohms. The owner's manual claims it can output class A 50W peak into 2, 4, or 8 ohms. It would be interesting to compare it to the Essence to see if it might be an over performer. I wonder if the class A design and output rating might be another hi value product that if you add a great power cord might surprise.
Seems like Pass Labs offers consistency. While Pass Labs offered a lower noise floor and better dynamics, I enjoyed the music more on the Essence. Equipment can be technically accurate (black background, soundstage, etc.), but not get the music.
This is why Jay's Audio Lab is one of the truly great and excellent audio channels on RUclips (among such bonafides as Audio Excellence Canada and Steve Guttenberg--truly great company). Like the other great audiophile channels, Jay respectfully tells it like it is. He provides the shootouts you want to see among THE BRANDS that you want to know about. And he adds tons of wisdom that saves you tons of money. If I could subscribe 5,000 more times to Jay's Audio Lab, I would.
Hi Jay, thanks you’re never ending help. We met in Chicago as you came out of the MBL room. I had my 12 y/o son with me. I wonder if you have any thoughts on Brisasti amplifiers? The M15 or M25 compared to your top picks like Boulder and Gryphon. Best wishes. Thanks for your time.
Interesting, I’m looking forward to evaluate both the Essence and a similarly priced Pass, hopefully X350.8 or X260.8 monos, in the near future. I wonder if the Essence has enough power for the 86db Magnepan 3.7’s 🤔
Guys, a better comparison would be the XA 160.8. Pure class A @ 160 watts into 8 Ohms. I did'nt see anyone mention this Amplifier. A step above the Essence and cheaper , here in the USA. Swede58, these are the amps I would go with, this is what I use. The 160.8s is more in the range of the Antileon Evo, plus cheaper. Now, dont miss read me. The Gryphon gear is really awesome. I would be more interested in the Antileon but being in the USA, I would go with Pass. Easier to work with. Then again , the Pass XS Amps is a different ball game. Pass does really pure class A. No bias adjustments. Happy listening.
@@swede5816 Ok, I understand. Prices would differ depending on if you are buying European or American made. How about the XA 100.8s ?. Depends on how much power you need. If I had to choose, I would be tempted with the Essence stereo over the X350.8. But, the XA 100.8s would have a nudge on the Essence. Its that pure class A tone and timber that does it for me. Real Sexy. In my listening travels, Gryphon products do really compete with Pass. Happy Listening.🍾👍🏽😜
Jay, part of my earlier comment disappeared. Curious how the 600.8 will sound vs. essence since it has the first 100 watts in pure class A. The 350.8 has only the first 18 watts in class A. How do the M6's react to that.
Pass labs is like an English car, a jaguar or a Bentley, not the fastest not the best specs but so comfortable your can drive for hours. Gryphon is a German car, a Porsche, fast reliable but not comfortable at all. After a couple of hours all your body is hurting you. Both are great it’s really a personal choice.
More Gryphon and Pass coming? Is this indicative of part shortages and shipping issues as a result of the pandemic? Love to see Audionet, Nagra, Goldman, the big Solutions, Technical Brain, etc.. just asking...don’t get me wrong- love your channel!
What's going on with the W20SE in the background? The power button is flashing. Usually that is only when it is shutting down. Weird. (that's my dream server. Have the N10 for several years and love it.) I did not vote, but liked the Gryphon a bit better. But could live with either one. the Gryphon does seem to have more potential since it was just using the stock PC.
Your comments are spot on, relating to system influences and the sound of the Essence. I have a new Essence stereo amp in my system, which has slightly warm speakers. Classical music is revelatory, with excellent midrange timbre along with resolution and space between instruments even with complicated passages. 3D depth is very impressive. Jazz is excellent, as there is nice lower midrange weight. Rock from the 70’s and 80’s... not so much. Could use a thicker sound for this, and frankly I usually listen to this on headphones or in the car anyway. 6Moons gave similar descriptors, in their own artsy abstract way. Suspect the faster more neutral sound of the Essence is further advanced on Magico speakers. Perhaps the ideal companion would be a Vinnie Rossie preamp where you can choose between straight AB or add SET influence. At the end of the day, a ski that is best in the bumps, won’t be the best GS ski, or vice versa. (Advance apologies the the Floridian Flatlanders for this analogy). The Essence is analogous to the best All mountain ski, which can accomplish almost anything with a deft operator.
Hey Jay - Thanks for posting these awesome videos. As a Pass fan, I really enjoy when you pitch other world class gear against the latest and greatest Pass goodies. Again and again, you do all the work, and we just sit back and enjoy the fruits of your labor. Thanks for all the hard work! OOOOOHhhh Jay!!!! You got the X600.8s!!!!! Wow! It almost feels like you’re doing me a personal favor by getting all these goodies and putting forth a ton of effort to first go to a shop and buy them, do the back breaking work of lifting these 140 lb monster amps, get cut to pieces when you accidentally brush up against the razor sharp heat sinks, set them up, reviewing them. Most of all Jay, let’s not forget the straight cash. Every time you buy and sell super stereo gear, you never get 100% return on trading gear in. You’ll be lucky if you get 50% I’m guessing. Thanks man. 👍
What’s your thoughts on Shunyata sigma mains cables, at present use audioquest hurricane . Was going to upgrade to Sigma as they are uncoloured in their make up. Value for you money what would you change to . Thanks Jay
Man, your audiophile game is absolutely on point! Thanks for sharing this amazing journey.
My pleasure
Amazing Jay, no bullshit, no tie ins, just fact based personal opinion. Really enjoying this journey.
Excellent, keep going pal.
Thank you
Jay, it will be interesting to hear the Pass x600.8 and if the same flavor of sound continues. It will be interesting to hear/see what changes occur considering thata lot
This is what I am waiting for: the X600.8 monos vs the Essence monos.
The liquidity of the Essence is the lack of electronic coloration. Some people arent used to that and prefer the added texture of a noisier amp
I can't wait for this Jay 😁 Mono shoot out. Great video as always 👍
Jay
Pass Labs makes a new amplifier called the XA25.
It is pure class A low power design. It's power rating is 25Wpc 8 ohms, 50Wpc 4ohms or 100Wpc into 2 ohms. The owner's manual claims it can output class A 50W peak into 2, 4, or 8 ohms.
It would be interesting to compare it to the Essence to see if it might be an over performer. I wonder if the class A design and output rating might be another hi value product that if you add a great power cord might surprise.
This amp MUCH lower
Seems like Pass Labs offers consistency. While Pass Labs offered a lower noise floor and better dynamics, I enjoyed the music more on the Essence.
Equipment can be technically accurate (black background, soundstage, etc.), but not get the music.
This is why Jay's Audio Lab is one of the truly great and excellent audio channels on RUclips (among such bonafides as Audio Excellence Canada and Steve Guttenberg--truly great company).
Like the other great audiophile channels, Jay respectfully tells it like it is. He provides the shootouts you want to see among THE BRANDS that you want to know about. And he adds tons of wisdom that saves you tons of money.
If I could subscribe 5,000 more times to Jay's Audio Lab, I would.
Thanks. Greatly appreciate it
Hi Jay, thanks you’re never ending help. We met in Chicago as you came out of the MBL room. I had my 12 y/o son with me. I wonder if you have any thoughts on Brisasti amplifiers? The M15 or M25 compared to your top picks like Boulder and Gryphon.
Best wishes. Thanks for your time.
Interesting, I’m looking forward to evaluate both the Essence and a similarly priced Pass, hopefully X350.8 or X260.8 monos, in the near future. I wonder if the Essence has enough power for the 86db Magnepan 3.7’s 🤔
@@flex-cx9bi Tackar och bockar 🙏😊🇸🇪
@@flex-cx9bi Would the specs of the Pass amp cause any problems with the Maggies?
Guys, a better comparison would be the XA 160.8. Pure class A @ 160 watts into 8 Ohms. I did'nt see anyone mention this Amplifier. A step above the Essence and cheaper , here in the USA.
Swede58, these are the amps I would go with, this is what I use. The 160.8s is more in the range of the Antileon Evo, plus cheaper.
Now, dont miss read me. The Gryphon gear is really awesome. I would be more interested in the Antileon but being in the USA, I would go with Pass. Easier to work with. Then again , the Pass XS Amps is a different ball game. Pass does really pure class A. No bias adjustments. Happy listening.
@@clivewilliams9460 The XA160.8 monos are way over my budget. The Essence stereo has the same pricetag as the X350.8 here in Sweden.
@@swede5816 Ok, I understand. Prices would differ depending on if you are buying European or American made. How about the XA 100.8s ?. Depends on how much power you need. If I had to choose, I would be tempted with the Essence stereo over the X350.8. But, the XA 100.8s would have a nudge on the Essence. Its that pure class A tone and timber that does it for me. Real Sexy. In my listening travels, Gryphon products do really compete with Pass. Happy Listening.🍾👍🏽😜
Jay, part of my earlier comment disappeared. Curious how the 600.8 will sound vs. essence since it has the first 100 watts in pure class A. The 350.8 has only the first 18 watts in class A. How do the M6's react to that.
Pass labs is like an English car, a jaguar or a Bentley, not the fastest not the best specs but so comfortable your can drive for hours.
Gryphon is a German car, a Porsche, fast reliable but not comfortable at all. After a couple of hours all your body is hurting you.
Both are great it’s really a personal choice.
Gryphon is for sure on the short list, thanks to you. Also curious about Clayton and PBN amps. Have auditioned products from either company?
More Gryphon and Pass coming? Is this indicative of part shortages and shipping issues as a result of the pandemic? Love to see Audionet, Nagra, Goldman, the big Solutions, Technical Brain, etc.. just asking...don’t get me wrong- love your channel!
Don't read into it too much. It's just what i was able to get my hands on
What's going on with the W20SE in the background? The power button is flashing. Usually that is only when it is shutting down. Weird. (that's my dream server. Have the N10 for several years and love it.)
I did not vote, but liked the Gryphon a bit better. But could live with either one. the Gryphon does seem to have more potential since it was just using the stock PC.
Your comments are spot on, relating to system influences and the sound of the Essence. I have a new Essence stereo amp in my system, which has slightly warm speakers. Classical music is revelatory, with excellent midrange timbre along with resolution and space between instruments even with complicated passages. 3D depth is very impressive. Jazz is excellent, as there is nice lower midrange weight. Rock from the 70’s and 80’s... not so much. Could use a thicker sound for this, and frankly I usually listen to this on headphones or in the car anyway. 6Moons gave similar descriptors, in their own artsy abstract way. Suspect the faster more neutral sound of the Essence is further advanced on Magico speakers. Perhaps the ideal companion would be a Vinnie Rossie preamp where you can choose between straight AB or add SET influence. At the end of the day, a ski that is best in the bumps, won’t be the best GS ski, or vice versa. (Advance apologies the the Floridian Flatlanders for this analogy). The Essence is analogous to the best All mountain ski, which can accomplish almost anything with a deft operator.
Hi Richard! Do you know any amp specially good for 70´80 rock music? Thanks :)
@@cleese74 I think Jay would say the Pass, given more lower midrange and bass bloom. Would balance the higher frequency energy of these recordings.
You compare a class a vs class ab. Mha, try pass xs150 vs essence
Hey Jay - Thanks for posting these awesome videos. As a Pass fan, I really enjoy when you pitch other world class gear against the latest and greatest Pass goodies. Again and again, you do all the work, and we just sit back and enjoy the fruits of your labor. Thanks for all the hard work!
OOOOOHhhh Jay!!!! You got the X600.8s!!!!! Wow! It almost feels like you’re doing me a personal favor by getting all these goodies and putting forth a ton of effort to first go to a shop and buy them, do the back breaking work of lifting these 140 lb monster amps, get cut to pieces when you accidentally brush up against the razor sharp heat sinks, set them up, reviewing them. Most of all Jay, let’s not forget the straight cash. Every time you buy and sell super stereo gear, you never get 100% return on trading gear in. You’ll be lucky if you get 50% I’m guessing. Thanks man. 👍
Thank you
Also room acoustics improve sound quality as I have experienced.
Guys, are you familiar with the Pass XA 160.8s ?. A whole different Animal.
And which one do you sell Jay?
What’s your thoughts on Shunyata sigma mains cables, at present use audioquest hurricane . Was going to upgrade to Sigma as they are uncoloured in their make up.
Value for you money what would you change to .
Thanks Jay
Audioquest Dragon king
@Jay: How does the Ansuz Mainz C2 compare to the Audioquest Dragon please? Many thanks!
Dragon much better
Any consideration for Class D such as Digital Amplifier Company
Not at this time mike unfortunately
It's also 10 thousand more dollars.
Great 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
Pass Labs = Mid-Fi.
Overpriced.
My vote goes to Gryphon 😊❤️
👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
So Essence is the better amplifier. No surprice to me
Gryphon baby. Gryphon