pass labs xa-30.5 vs. plinius sa-103

[mboldda1]

anyone compared these two amps?  if so what are your thoughts?

[richidoo]

I always like the Pass class A amps, whenever I get to hear them (at shows.) Last one was with Wilson Sophia3, it was awesome. I've not heard any Plinius amps, but I liked their CDP.

[BobM]

I heard a "highly regarded and well reviewed" Plinius integrated a few years ago. It was fairly bright and clinical sounding with a certain lack of texture and dimensionality that is usually associated with top end amps. I can;t say this is typical of the Plinius line and house sound in general, but only for this particular integrated amp.

I can't say I've ever heard a Pass amp sound bad. All those things I mentioned above that were lacking in the Plinius were always present in the Pass amps. Of course, they run class A, are hot to the touch and are inefficient, but they do sound nice indeed.

[rollo]

  They both have house sounds. The Plinius more on the organic camp and the Pass more in the neutral camp.
  The Plinius never made our Maggies sound better. Hands on experience is the only way to tell. Just have to audition them in your system. Both excellent designs just different sonic qualities.
  Have fun trying.


charles
 

[Barry (NJ)]

I heard a "highly regarded and well reviewed" Plinius integrated a few years ago. It was fairly bright and clinical sounding with a certain lack of texture and dimensionality that is usually associated with top end amps. I can;t say this is typical of the Plinius line and house sound in general, but only for this particular integrated amp.

I can't say I've ever heard a Pass amp sound bad. All those things I mentioned above that were lacking in the Plinius were always present in the Pass amps. Of course, they run class A, are hot to the touch and are inefficient, but they do sound nice indeed.

Bob, did you forget this day...





I thought the Plinaus sounded really good...

[BobM]

Yes, it did sound good ... outside, at a party, driving speakers loudly. But inside, at reasonable volumes it may be a different story when compared directly against another piece of well regarded equipment.

[Barry (NJ)]

Hmmm... very true...

[Carlman]

The Pass I've heard was rich and textured, lots of control and gravitas.  I can't remember the last time I heard a Plinius but the ones I've heard were demo's and sounded 'ok' but I didn't walk away wishing for one.  The Pass stuff I have always walked away wishing I could find a way to get...
-C

[machinehead]

The Plinius did sound good that day as my middle fingers can attest!

I love Pass labs too. Those amps kick balls! The kind of kicking balls that happens to someone else albeit. Maybe an accidentally groped granny goes ballistic and Kung Ball foos some anonymous male person. That kind of kick balls.

[MrAcoustat]

They are both GREAT amps but two different flavours i have a friend with an older model of Pass Labs the X350 and another with the Plinius SA-250MK1V and for MY tastes i choose the Plinius much smoother sound the Pass Labs is more clinical.

PS: If given away i would take any of the two BUT if i had to buy it would be for sure the Plinius.