When compared with the Pass Labs XA30.8 pure Class A single-chassis amplifier, the XA25 has a much higher damping factor (500 versus the XA30.8's 150), a lower output noise level (uv:50 versus the XA30.8's uv:200), and a higher slew rate (100v/us versus the XA30.8's v/us 50). Three other measurements worth noting are its damping factor, output noise level, and slew rate. However, it can deliver peak current of 10 amp output (200 watt A/B peak into two ohms), which means that it can drive most speakers without any difficulties. The XA25 is a pure Class A design that only uses two transistors per channel, yet it delivers 25 watts RMS at eight ohms and 50 watts RMS at four ohms. I found the XA25's appearance to be quite handsome in an understated yet classy "less is more" way. As you can expect from Pass Labs, the chassis and build quality rank with the best on the market, regardless of the price. Finally, a pair of robust handles makes moving the XA25 a relatively painless procedure. Around back is one set of RCA inputs, one pair of very high-quality speaker wire terminals, and the IEC input. Engraved on the left and right side of face are "XA25" and "PASS," respectively, which flank two grooves that are carved out of the face plate. The silver front plate simply has a push-button on/off switch and a single blue LED that lets you know that the amplifier is on. ![]() It lacks the bias meter found on the front of all the other XA.8 Series amplifiers. It measures six inches high, 17 inches long, and 17.315 inches wide, and it weighs 55 pounds. The Pass Labs XA25 is a relatively small amplifier compared with the XA.8 Series models. In its own way, it might be the best of all Nelson's amplifiers in the last 20 years!" This certainly motivated me to get the XA-25 in-house to review as soon as possible. When I said no, he responded, "You are in for a real treat. Then, in a casual conversation I had with Andy Collen, owner of the high-end salon The Audio Surgeon located in Michigan-who is a long-time friend of Nelson Pass, a Pass Labs retailer, and someone who has great taste regarding anything in audio-he asked me if I had heard the XA25 yet. ![]() ![]() However, I got sidetracked with other reviews and my professional work responsibilities. I knew that Pass Labs had introduced the XA25 about six months ago and had put it on my list of future reviews to arrange. For the last four years, my solid-state reference has been a pair of the XA60.8 mono-block amplifiers that have offered nothing less than superlative performance, regardless of what speakers I added. My review of the new and quite extraordinary Pass Labs XA25 amplifier, which retails for $4,900, marks the fifth time I've had the pleasure to experience yet another creation by Nelson Pass and his team to drive my reference system to its highest levels of musical enjoyment.
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