first of all I am not worried about credibility issues since I am not a seller here and not trying to sell any gear. Plus this is my ''OWN'' opinion about Pass Labs-VTL 6.5 mating. I just kindly wanted to share with you but you felt an offense. X250.5-350.5. Yes There is a sonic difference however X350.5 is the more biased Class AB derivitive of X250.5 which is 10-15 watt more in class A mode. This will be important if your speakers are difficult to drive.
Another point, I have made my Boulder-Pass assumption after having tested not in MY setup but loan gear that I had: Gryphon Antileon Sig. Pre-Power, Boulder 1060-1010, Pass Labs X-1, 2.5 pre X600.5 monos, Viola pre-mono, Accuphase A-45-C2400. Compared to these machines your VTL is a bit underclass. Sorry.
I tell you another point: there is another right way to find out either you are right with Pass amp or wrong is check with diyaudio-Passlabs forum. Even you may contact with Nelson directly and ask him to evaluate your system components.Maybe my credibility is lacking:) but not the Nelson's. :) However he is going to ask you why not using new Pass Preamp xp-10 or 20? :)
You are using someone's design (Nelson Pass)who hates tubes and mating with a tube preamp. I am a little bit speechless and can't go further. Good Luck!

mert November 07, 2008 21:58

Actually I never heard VTL 6.5 together with Nelson Pass amplifier. I can make comments about the gear I am familiar. In your case I am an expert on Pass amps and know how to take the most out of them. As long as cables concerned I am always in state of upgrading and changing the things since I have quite good cable pool during these days. I have full setup of JPS aluminatas and PAD Anniversary cables. Transparents REF MM2 have tough competition, in other words:)

mert November 06, 2008 23:20

I mean by single ended not the inputs of the amp, but as a design as nelson argues: single ended solid state, what I understand is an amp, has the concept of single ended tube designs but uses transistors instead of tubes. That is typical Pass sound, neither tube nor Solid State.
Since I have experienced a lot with Pass amps I can say best result will be for Pass amp if it is used with Boulder series preamps or similar in sound character.
In your case, I know your amp, speakers, and cables:) Your weakest link is your preamp. However this is my weakest link as well:)

mert November 04, 2008 16:02

Nice setup, similar to mine. There are a few things that you may follow:
if you want most from PAD cable, try on Poweramp! Since you have esoteric, logical powercord is Acrolink Mexcel since internal wiring of esoteric made by Acrolink as well.
If finaces allow replace VTL with Boulder 810 or 1010 which works together indeed good since Pass is Single Ended S.S.(single ended amp but with transistors yields some sort of hybrid sound)
As you know I run this combination in past and satisfied.

mert October 30, 2008 23:30