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Menu Home Audio & Video HiFi audioTurntables Pass Labs XA160.5 monoblock (pair) If you are new to the world of high-end audio, you can get the condensed history of Pass Labs here: http://www.passlabs.com/about.htm. The shorter version is simple: Nelson Pass is a genius. He’s probably got more patents for amplifier design than almost everyone else combined. And he’s got a great sense of humor, too. The owner’s manual describes the new amplifier as “tending to run heavy and hot, but elicit high performance and reliability from simple circuits.”Weighing in at about 130 pounds each and $24,000 per pair, the XA160.5s are not for the light of wallet—or bicep. Or, for that matter, air-conditioning capacity. The power draw isn’t huge, but each unit sucks 600 watts from the power line, whether idling or at full power. Because they only produce 160 watts per channel into 8 ohms, doubling into a 4-ohm load, they get very warm to the touch. Yes, this behavior is normal for a class A design. The extra heat was welcome in March when the amplifiers arrived, as it kept our studio toasty. Yet, as days got longer, the amps forced us to run the A/C well before we normally would.Staggering Pace and TonalityWhile classical music plays to one group of the XA160.5s strengths, revisiting the recently remastered Beatles catalog plays to another: These amplifiers offer rock-solid pace. Violins in the mono version of “Eleanor Rigby” (from Revolver) were strongly anchored, and Lennon and McCartney’s voices unwavering. There was so much depth, it almost sounded like a stereo recording! Speaking of the latter, the stereo version of “Penny Lane” from Magical Mystery Tour turned out to be just as exciting. Ringo Starr’s drumming and McCartney’s bass held true throughout the psychedelic soundscape.I am easily swayed by the big sound of these amplifiers, yet that characteristic only scratches the surface of their capabilities. Concerning tonal accuracy and texture? Spot on. Acoustic instruments sound correct, whether listening to wind, string, or percussion instruments. Dynamic contrasts equate to the best I’ve experienced. A few TONE writers whose tastes skew towards classical remain astonished at the lifelike piano reproduction.Music fans that crave vocal performances will benefit from the XA160.5’s picture-perfect tonality and resolution. Again, the extra tonal body almost feels as if one is listening to an SET—albeit an SET with nearly unlimited power that you can use with real-world speakers. The extra low-level resolution goes a long way, especially when spinning marginal discs. An ideal example comes courtesy of Keith Richards’ Talk is Cheap. Richards is not known for possessing a terribly strong lead vocal. Yet, when put through the XA160.5s, it actually has some depth. Such is the XA160.5s’ allure. They hover at the optimum point of boasting maximum resolution without being harsh, sounding full bodied and musically natural without introducing tonal distortion— a difficult balancing act.Bass response keeps in line with the exceptional performance found elsewhere in the frequency range. While the XA160.5s have more than ample weight and slam, the bass reveals a level of texture and detail that I’ve only experienced with a small handful of amplifiers. Remember: It’s easy to confuse “audiophile bass” (usually over-damped and distinguishable from the real thing that has life, texture, and resonance); the XA160.5’s are the genuine article. A cursory listen to your favorite acoustic bassist reveals the way these amplifiers allow the instrument to breath, and brings you that much closer to the actual performance.ClassAInput Impedance (SE & BAL Kohms)30/20TypeMonoDamping Factor200Gain (dB)26Output Noise (uV)200Full Pwr @ 26 dB gain (V)1.79Power Consumption (Watts)600Low Frequency Response1.5 HzTemperature (deg C.)53High Frequency Response100 KHzNumber of Chassis1Power Output/ch (8 ohm)160Dimension (W x H x D) (In.)19 x 11.2 x 22.5Power Output/ch (4 ohm)320Unit Weight (LBS)131Distortion (1 KHz, full power)1% Featured products Klipsch has revoiced the Forte IV with a fresh crossover network based on the steep-slope design in their premium Klipschorn and La Scala models. And three of the finishes come with a new retro-styled salt and pepper grille cloth.$4,498With the OBERON 7, Dali has made it easy to integrate your loudspeakers into any room. Both the driver materials and geometry applied in the OBERON 7 has been selected to achieve a wide dispersion pattern in the listening area. The same principles have been applied in the design of the crossover.$1,499The Debut platter is a precision-machined, dynamically-balanced work of art. The 18-pound platter and bearing set epitomizes stamina and endurance. This is a gorgeous table. With the Whisper Vacuum, your record will couple to the platter better, creating a synergy between the them$11,495In the Paradigms Persona, tandem matched Beryllium drivers reveal the full range of high performance. Persona is the only loudspeaker in its class to utilize Beryllium material for both midrange and tweeter drivers.$7,849 paymentShippingReturns About UsContact Us Policies payment Payment via Credit card or PayPal for all purchases through our eBay store. We can only ship to the confirmed US billing address/Paypal address on your payment. Shipping We fully insure all of our shipments. We ONLY ship to confirmed PayPal addresses. Some orders are shipped SIGNATURE REQUIRED. Most items ship in their factory carton unless otherwise stated. If you have any questions regarding our shipping terms please contact us before purchasing. Returns Returns are accepted. 20 Days Returns are accepted . Buyer pays return shipping and 20% restocking fee. Item MUST be returned with ALL original packaging and accessories. Refund will only be given upon inspection of the package. Any items that are missing will be deducted from the refund amount. If the item arrives to you damaged or defective, please contact us for instructions. Damages or defective items are not subject to the 20% restocking fee. Defective Items Contact must be made within 20 days of item delivery date. If your item is in fact defective, we will replace it at no extra cost to you. Items that are sent back as defective but, upon inspection, are found to be in perfect working condition are not considered defective and will be subject to the 20% restocking fee. Damaged Items Please check shipment as soon as it arrives. Contact must be made within 24 hours of delivery date if your item is damaged. Each item ships with insurance. Payment is required in full immediately upon selecting Buy It Now on any item. Orders where payment is not received within 24 hours can be cancelled for non-payment and the items may be relisted for sale by Audio Solutions eBay accepts payment via Credit card or PayPal for all purchases through our eBay store. We can only ship to the confirmed US billing address/Paypal address on your payment. About Us Audio Solutions has the Largest Inventory in the Mid-West. Stop by our Huge 4,000sq Showroom to listen to the finest Audio + Video system gear available. 11-7 Tue- Saturday Our experienced sales staff can guide you through every part of your purchase. If you are unsure or have questions, our staff can help understand your needs and make recommendations. Even after your purchase, we are here to help with any set-up, performance, or troubleshooting questions. Our on-staff service technician can assist with repairs or warranty claims. You can feel confident buying from an established, trusted retailer. Contact Us The Audio Solutions 6340 Ferguson St. Indianapolis, IN 46220 Telephone 317-255-4434 11-7:00 PM Tuesday - Saturday Sun and Monday by Appointment Call any time ! Policies PLEASE NOTE: Products that arrive not in original packaging, missing accessories, without a Return Authorization or damaged will be REFUSED. Refunds are credited using the original payment method and are usually credited within 10-15 business days upon receipt of your return. If you have any questions regarding our return and order cancellation policy, please feel free to contact us. Newsletter Subscribe to our monthly newsletter and receive exclusive offers on products. Sign up homeFeedbackview all listings about us Contact Us Copyright © 2021 AUDIO SOLUTIONS OF INDY INC. All rights reserved. ebay Store Design byOCDesignsOnline Listing and template services provided by inkFrog
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