Pass labs XP32 vs Luxman C900U

[tobiasrankin]

Has anyone done this face off? Thoughts?

 

[tobiasrankin]

Anyone?

 

[thedudeabides]

I have not listened to either but I do own Pass Labs and Luxman and I think I know their general sonic "flavor". Here's what I would anticipate. The Pass will offer more "apparent" transparency, be more open sounding, with better defined bass. The Lux will be more immersive and dense with a well saturated sound field bordering on the "liquid". Suffice to say, I suspect they will sound very different and it comes down to your personal preference and "system matching". You can audition the Lux at Music Direct and the Pass at Reno Hifi. Both offer money back guarantees. Good luck.

 

[tobiasrankin]

I have not listened to either but I do own Pass Labs and Luxman and I think I know their general sonic "flavor". Here's what I would anticipate. The Pass will offer more "apparent" transparency, be more open sounding, with better defined bass. The Lux will be more immersive and dense with a well saturated sound field bordering on the "liquid". Suffice to say, I suspect they will sound very different and it comes down to your personal preference and "system matching". You can audition the Lux at Music Direct and the Pass at Reno Hifi. Both offer money back guarantees. Good luck.

Seems like a lux pre with a pass power amp is a recipe for magic. :O

 

[TDX]

Luxman tends to harmonise sounds a bit.

 

[thedudeabides]

Seems like a lux pre with a pass power amp is a recipe for magic. :O

I've had a CJ pre with a Pass amp for several years. No desire to change. FWIW, I've read numerous positive posts regarding mixing a tube pre with a SS amp. I would think the Lux pre with a Pass amp would be a very musical combo. And as I stated above, you can audition both products with a money back guarantee. Update. Just checked the Music Direct website. Unfortunately, they don't offer the pre that you want.

 

[thedudeabides]

Luxman tends to harmonise sounds a bit.

Depends on "system synergy".