Amp question?

[JFG2112]

Interested in the Treo CTs! Anybody powering them with Pass Labs XA30.8? Wanted to hear first hand experience!

✌️

[ctsooner]

I don’t, but I knew someone who ran his with a Pass amp and he loved it. Eventually he upgraded to the M5 amps though. Do you own the Pass already 

[JFG2112]

I've had the Pass for awhile now! Which pass was he running?

My room is 12x21 with another 8x8 at the back right of the room and I don't listen to loud anymore lol.

[GdnrBob]

Thirty wpc seems a bit low for the Treo's, but I am aware that Pass usually shoots far above it's ratings.

If you have the Vandy subs/crossovers, then it would probably be an even better match.

Bob

 

[TomicTime]

for 4 years or so I ran Treo CT full range w NAIM Uniti Atom which is 40 wpc SS and then w 40 WPC MC240 tube amp. Both excefor my needs…i rarely exceed 90 + db…..

[JFG2112]

I emailed back n forth with the Pass guys today and they were saying the xa30.8 can go to 100w at 6ohms if pushed. Of course I wouldn't want to get near that point! I too rarely get above 90db. When you had the 40w SS amp did you ever have to go past half way to get to 70 to 80db. 

[TomicTime]

No but the NAIM is a very unique volume control w some analog and digital magic happening, so who knows what the # mean ? …

[TomicTime]

I also ran them w 100 wpc tube RM-9… for my needs 40 wpc is fine. Hopefully the Pass will work great for you.

best

Jim

[JFG2112]

I'll have to decide! The Treos are at the top of the list! And from what I've learned about them through research is that they are about the best you can do at that price point! Thanks guys for taking the time to respond!

[ctsooner]

2 hours ago, JFG2112 said:

I've had the Pass for awhile now! Which pass was he running?

My room is 12x21 with another 8x8 at the back right of the room and I don't listen to loud anymore lol.

Not sure but it was a new model and a stereo amp not monos. Very sweet sounding. Almost opposite of Ayre. 

[TomicTime]

1 hour ago, JFG2112 said:

I'll have to decide! The Treos are at the top of the list! And from what I've learned about them through research is that they are about the best you can do at that price point! Thanks guys for taking the time to respond!

Love ours !,,, 

[JFG2112]

So cool!!

[GdnrBob]

I stand corrected, though I knew the Pass Amps had better power specs than what is listed.

If @TomicTime, says they will work, I would concur.

B

 

[JFG2112]

I like it!! I think they'd be perfect in this room!!

[TomicTime]

My room is 15’ w 9’ ceillings but like 33’ long… This photo when i was running Treo w 40 WPC Naim integrated. Treo offer incredible cohesive refined sound imo. Best to you.

Jim

[Huang]

Jim I still love that nook!

[Holmz]

6 hours ago, JFG2112 said:

I emailed back n forth with the Pass guys today and they were saying the xa30.8 can go to 100w at 6ohms if pushed. Of course I wouldn't want to get near that point! I too rarely get above 90db. When you had the 40w SS amp did you ever have to go past half way to get to 70 to 80db. 

Assuming that they are maybe 10 feet away, then that is 3 meters.  (1/3^2) is ~-9dB and two speakers is +3 dB.
Spec sheet says 85dB sensitivity.

So 1W will have you at around 80dB… yeah the peaks are at 20W… 
I am pushing an advertised 44W or 88W into Model 2, and I would gladly trade amps if someone said they wanted my amp for their Pass.

You should still try it… and it is a bit low, but not dreadfully know, and especially so if one has the sub woofer. (IME)

Edited August 11, 2022 by Holmz

[JFG2112]

The amazing thing about the Treo CTs is that they never dip below 5.5 ohms. I take that that's the reason they say they are an easy load...because 85db sensitivity is low efficiency as I understand it. I do have dual Rels T9is, but I'm not sure how I'd get the benefit of taking some of the load off the treos? I have the connected as high level to the Pass.

[Holmz]

@JFG2112 The music is generally considered to be 1/2 the power is below 500Hz, and the remains two quarters is under and above ~200Hz.
So scraping off the 100 Hz area (under the curve) and below… removes a lot of the voltage swing.

The Vandy sub is unique in that most other systems use DSP.
But the integration and being analogue makes it a bit different.
It is not “better by definition” that way (IMO), but it is well thought out and well integrated… and it works stunningly well.

 

20 minutes ago, JFG2112 said:

The amazing thing about the Treo CTs is that they never dip below 5.5 ohms. I take that that's the reason they say they are an easy load…

There is also the phase swing.

I am unsure whether the lower order crossovers have less of that, but a large phase angle wrecks havoc on many amps ability to drive the load… and  when phase is introduced becomes a complex load, rather than purely resistive. But a low impedance load that is resistive is also damned tough on most amps (with Class-D being somewhat of an exception).

[ctsooner]

I can’t even tell you how many watts my amps are and I don’t remember what the Ayre was.  I audition and if I like, I’ll go for it. 
 

Try not to get wrapped up in efficiencies and wattage and everything else listed. Listening is best, but this forum is great because there is someone who owns your speakers (we are a Vandy forum after all) and probably has heard most of the amps we are all looking at. 
 

Jim’s use of the Naim is the perfect example. I ran Treo’s with a lower wattage Ayre integrated and it sounded great (50-70 watts range I think). Enjoy 

[JFG2112]

You guys have been awesome! I appreciate all the help and insight!✌️🎸🎸

 

[Richard Vandersteen]

1 hour ago, Holmz said:

@JFG2112 The music is generally considered to be 1/2 the power is below 500Hz, and the remains two quarters is under and above ~200Hz.
So scraping off the 100 Hz area (under the curve) and below… removes a lot of the voltage swing.

The Vandy sub is unique in that most other systems use DSP.
But the integration and being analogue makes it a bit different.
It is not “better by definition” that way (IMO), but it is well thought out and well integrated… and it works stunningly well.

 

There is also the phase swing.

I am unsure whether the lower order crossovers have less of that, but a large phase angle wrecks havoc on many amps ability to drive the load… and  when phase is introduced becomes a complex load, rather than purely resistive. But a low impedance load that is resistive is also damned tough on most amps (with Class-D being somewhat of an exception).

I respectfully disagree, it is better because the signal does not need to be converted to digital especially for those like me who still prefer our analog only chain!  Any conversion of energy is not free or without loss.  RV

[Holmz]

1 hour ago, Richard Vandersteen said:

I respectfully disagree, it is better because the signal does not need to be converted to digital especially for those like me who still prefer our analog only chain!  Any conversion of energy is not free or without loss.  RV

Well your system does sound good.
(And I think it is superbly thought out.)

So at least we probably agree on something.

[TomicTime]

On 8/10/2022 at 8:34 PM, Huang said:

Jim I still love that nook!

My big regret was during the remodel, i didn’t widen it out…it’s a scant 17.25” wide…but very deep….