Interested in your thoughts on any synergy between Pass Labs and a CJ preamp? Unless I score a Premier 350, I'd probably look at a Pass Labs amp. On the other hand, I could be tempted by some CJ tubes....
The highs were superb & I spent 4-5 years chasing the sound & finally got to SS Pass Labs & Tube preamp as end product.
Anyway, I've listened to a bunch of highly resolving speakers & the Mac's tamed the highs, always
Something about the transformer outputs?
But, not much bass as to Bryston/Pass etc
Anyway, There "new sound" is something you should try to listen with Thiels
Room stuff is good start ( start by hanging blankets at reflection points and see what you hear). It looks ugly, but works for " prove it to me" type of thing
FR - I guess I am following in your footsteps, my plan was to do what's needed to make the Thiel's sound really good, then go from there in terms of other speakers, additional sources, etc. Interesting that low level listening is even better, that's one of my favorite things about the Thiels. Enjoy!
I spent a lot of time with adjustments in electronics, cables, power to tame the Thiel uber resolution. I found Thiels very persnickety of upstream components for them to sound best.
I thought there highs were spectacular, after the right stuff was inserted
I made the change due to the lack of fullness in the lower ranges.
My goodness, I thought the Revels were so-so when listening at Axpona, etc
Amps make a huge difference for Revels in the low end. ML, so so on bass, but pass was different animal. Very full, like adding another couple woofers
Anyway, by taming the Thiels and then inserting the revels, I was pleasantly surprised how delicate the be tweeters are.
Delicate, resolving, lots of soundstage & more details to be heard.
The low level listening is great, greater than Thiels which excelled at it
Sorry to see the Thiels go but will be putting the Revels on my list of speakers to listen to if/when I consider a possible post-Thiel future. How do the highs compare?
i think your Pass Labs Xa 30.5 might need more ventilation. at least 6 inches above , sides and behind. Having not heard Thiels but heard only good about them I guess you are happy. was it painful getting the subwoofer to integrate?
Jeff,...I like this system alot; very well thought out combination of components, many of which I've heard at various points that sound great together. I can appreciate your love of Thiel speakers over other options including planar (despite all their positive attributes); the first great imaging and very coherent speaker I ever heard was around 1990-1991 in Cincinnati at a place called Audible Elegance in Montgomery. Thiel 1.2 and 1.1s impressed with the overall imaging, separation and (for the times) impressive 3D presentation of music. They were playing Patrick O'Hearn's "Eldoradoo", "Between Two Worlds", possibly "Indigo" and at least one Thomas Dolby disc in rotation; I remember being impressed and wanting the system they had put together.
Enjoy your system,....thank for the comments on my system thread as well!
Very nice system! I am thinking of replacing my Classe 100wpc amp with a Pass X150.8 or a X250.8 and would be placing it in a cabinet. I am a little concerned about heat. I'm guessing the X series runs a little cooler than the XA series but not sure. Does your amp get hot in your cab? Also did you addition any A/B amps from Pass before deciding on your XA30.5? Thanks, Ron
