Pass Labs - HPA1

[musicus]

The classic case of I agree with him if he praised my gear.

Haha, not really! I think Amir is very capable and I trustworthy but sometimes his conclusions are misleading. As to why please see this vid:

 

[Duartisimo]

Ohhh i pretty sure the amp is not gonna measure well. I remember reading by Jam Somasundram’s own admission that after achieving “perfection”, then starts the voicing process. They purposely add, distortion, coloration, or whatever to achieve what they consider a pleasant sound; maybe this is why Pass gear is known to posses lube like smoothness. I took a shot on the amp before hearing it; suffice to say i didn’t return it. I mean c’on if someone wants Studio perfect reference audio then just get Yamaha Studio gear.

Me? I just want to rock out and the HPA-1 does not disappoint, no matter what i throw at it.

 

[XERO1]

Yeah, Amir is great for measurements, but totally useless (for me) when it comes to his sonic opinions.

 

[Duartisimo]

I for one could ALMOST agree with his conclusions about sources. But when it comes to amps, I like to add flavoring. Sometimes very little (HPA-1, Octave II), sometimes lots (DNA Starlett).

I loaned him the HPA-1out of curiosity, to be honest. I am changing my system and because I prefer the Starlett for vinyl playback and getting rid of my DAC, the Pass would have been just sitting there collecting dust. And I have not seen Amir take a TOTL headamp like this one for a ride through his process.

 

[George Hincapie]

Yeah, Amir is great for measurements, but totally useless (for me) when it comes to his sonic opinions.

He isn't offering sonic opinions.

 

[Zachik]

the Pass would have been just sitting there collecting dust.

So maybe you'll sell it half-off after all... cool.

Joking aside, I know how that works - not enough time to use ALL amps, when one owns several.

 

[Duartisimo]

Well, my working life has changed somewhat and now I am working most of the week at my little Studio I set up in my garage (thanks COVID).

My system was an attempt to have all my stuff in one place, but it didn't work out very well. I was having to run the Starlett from the Pass Pre-Out. Had an RCA switch, but made things more complicated. Was 1mm from purchasing a Schiit preamp + EQ stack when I simply decided I should just scale back. So I am moving the DAC, Pass and Mjolnir to my Studio, where I spend most of my time anyway. Gonna leave the Starlett alone for Vinyl playback, which is where it shines IMO.

 

[Duartisimo]

OK I got one question for you fellow HPA-1 owners: what kind of feet does the amp have? I have one of those felt ones and I HATE them. They are slippery. Looking for a suitable rubber replacement but have found nothing that has the same size.

 

[XERO1]

He isn't offering sonic opinions.

At the end of nearly all of his written reviews of speakers and headphones, he usually offers his opinion of what he thought about their sound quality. Here's just one example:

"Dan Clark Stealth Listening Tests
I usually measure headphones before listening but this time I was first asked how it sounded so I decided to listen. That was a mistake as I could not stop listening to them to do the measurements! This is one of the most transformative experiences I have had in audio! What an incredibly clean, dynamic sound with absolute correctness in tonality. Naturally there was no need to apply any EQ.
On spatial qualities, it is also excellent which is surprising for a closed back headphone. The Sennheiser HD800S may be a tad better but I consider what that headphone provides to be artificial, albeit of the rare, nice kind. Not so with Stealth. Every bit of spatial quality when it comes to separation of instruments and left and right positioning sound natural and normal like the world's best audio system."

And there are many, many more.

 

[George Hincapie]

At the end of nearly all of his written reviews of speakers and headphones, he usually offers his opinion of what he thought about its sound quality. Here's just one example:

"Dan Clark Stealth Listening Tests
I usually measure headphones before listening but this time I was first asked how it sounded so I decided to listen. That was a mistake as I could not stop listening to them to do the measurements! This is one of the most transformative experiences I have had in audio! What an incredibly clean, dynamic sound with absolute correctness in tonality. Naturally there was no need to apply any EQ.
On spatial qualities, it is also excellent which is surprising for a closed back headphone. The Sennheiser HD800S may be a tad better but I consider what that headphone provides to be artificial, albeit of the rare, nice kind. Not so with Stealth. Every bit of spatial quality when it comes to separation of instruments and left and right positioning sound natural and normal like the world's best audio system."

And there are many, many more.

I don't read every review, but usually he just says he listened and liked them or whatever. I've not seen subjective thoughts from him.

Still, one man's opinion. Put what stock into it you will.

 

[Alcophone]

OK I got one question for you fellow HPA-1 owners: what kind of feet does the amp have? I have one of those felt ones and I HATE them. They are slippery. Looking for a suitable rubber replacement but have found nothing that has the same size.

Yupp, terrible slippery felt feet. I put four IsoAcoustics Iso-Puck Mini under there, they are taller than the felt feet and tend to stick to flat surfaces after a while so that you might even be able to lift the amp with them staying attached. They provide enough stability to not risk pushing the amp off when fighting the locking headphone jack.

 

[Duartisimo]

Yupp, terrible slippery felt feet. I put four IsoAcoustics Iso-Puck Mini under there, they are taller than the felt feet and tend to stick to flat surfaces after a while so that you might even be able to lift the amp with them staying attached. They provide enough stability to not risk pushing the amp off when fighting the locking headphone jack.

Could you send a pic to see what it looks like?

 

[adydula]

I could give a rats Axx what Amir measures....OMG have I been down that path...

If specs are you thing I will predict that the HPA-1 will not measure close to many "spec" amps.

But that said ...my HPA-1 isnt going anywhere in my lifetime...and if someone offers me a trade with a THX AAA type amp...well the answer is _______ !!!

LOL

Enjoy the music
Alex

 

[adydula]

So, if Amir says this amp is a piece of schiit - will you sell it to me half off?

Oh my!!

 

[adydula]

I for one could ALMOST agree with his conclusions about sources. But when it comes to amps, I like to add flavoring. Sometimes very little (HPA-1, Octave II), sometimes lots (DNA Starlett).

I loaned him the HPA-1out of curiosity, to be honest. I am changing my system and because I prefer the Starlett for vinyl playback and getting rid of my DAC, the Pass would have been just sitting there collecting dust. And I have not seen Amir take a TOTL headamp like this one for a ride through his process.

Even if the HPA-1 measured superbly, Amir will trash it just because of the price to play here....and thats a fair assesment.

Many time I have said there are amps A LOT LESS COSTLY that sound as good as the HPA-1.

Neither end of the spectrum can provide a good experience...

Its your "wallet and ego and vanity"...