SET Asylum: REVIEW: Pass Laboratories F-3 Amplifier (SS) by chopper87@aol.com

Model:	F-3
Category:	Amplifier (SS)
Suggested Retail Price:	$2500
Description:	SET Stereo Amplifier
Manufacturer URL:	Pass Laboratories
Manufacturer URL:	Pass Laboratories

Review by chopper87@aol.com ( A ) on July 09, 2006 at 12:48:01
IP Address: 205.188.116.132

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What is the purpose of this review? Well it is a report on my recent comparisons between three very different amplifiers. I own the Yamamoto A08-S and the 10-watt class D Charlize amplifier. I also have a Pass Labs F-3 on hand for evaluation and comparison. Even my little 2-watt Yamamoto (Yamo through out the rest of this brief report) offers more power than my Lowther DX-4/Medallion back horn combination calls for.

I really wanted to clear my audio pallet prior to this comparison, so I first tried sorbet, which was quite tasty but functionally useless. I did completely refrain from listening to my setup for over a month. Howâ€™s that for devotion to a review? Ok, there were other reasons, but I did take over a month off.

My notes say things like, â€œthe D amp is more focused than the F-3, (is it hyper focused)? The D amplifier has more vocal presence than the F-3. The F-3 is smoother than the D amplifier through the Lowther DX-4â€™s. Maybe toe the Lowthers out a bit when listening through the D amplifier.â€

Also keep in mind that I am a die-hard believer in, no preamp is always the best option. However, this type of setup means that your amplifierâ€™s input sensitivity will need to be a good fit with a passive volume attenuation device to attain the gain. Or maybe you can follow my lead and increase the output voltage of your source if the amp/passive combination does not produce enough gain. Or maybe just disregard the above and keep your life sucking preamplifiers.

I found the F3 to be mellower in the old tube vs. solid-state fashion. The D amplifier is a detail freak that would likely add a touch of organic life to speakers that are a bit less unforgiving than my Lowthers (means just about any other brand). I must say, to my absolute surprise, that at this point it would be a tough choice between these two, solid state amplifiers. Even though I would find it hard to live with the perceived lack of high frequency refinement/smoothness in the Charlize (read bite) while driving my DX-4â€™s, I would definitely miss this amplifierâ€™s outstanding presence. Vocals are simply more punched out in the Charlize when compared with the F-3.
You know how in the recent past most solid-state amplifiers just did not quite offer the lucidity and palpability in the mids as the better tube amps. Well, the Charlize has the palucidity (new word alert) of my yamo.
On the other hand/ear, the F-3 is very balanced and smooth, and I could and did listen to it for many mesmerizing hours through my Lowthers. At this point I would find it difficult to listen to the D amplifier through my DX-4â€™s for more than an hour or so at a time. But, that one hour would be charged with intriguing Technicolor that approximates reality in a spooky manner. I bet the Charlize would be absolutely magical with a nice pair of vintage Tannoys. Hey, anybody out there done any tinkering with this little Charlize amp? It is loaded with high end parts as a stock unit, but, I was thinking that maybe a simple upgrade to paper in oil input capacitors may give this little gem that refinement up top needed for long term enjoyment with my Lowthers.
Both the D & F-3 offer very good sound staging. However, the added air present in the sound stage of the Charlize tends to endow it with a more enveloping image.
There, thatâ€™s the short answer to a far more complicated comparison between the two solid-state amplifiers in my home. Why complicated? Because I realize that it appears as though I absolutely prefer the Charlize to the F-3 from my above comments. Well, itâ€™s not that simple. I have been clued to my listening chair for the past six hours totally lost in the music amplified by the F-3. The longer I listen the less I find myself able to focus on anything but swaying and bobbing to the music to the best of my white boy capabilities. The F-3 kind of reminds me of a girl who is usually completely over shadowed by the outgoing bubbly personality of her girlfriend (the Charlize in this example). However, the more you get to know them both, the more annoying the obnoxiously cheerful bimbo becomes. Now the more cerebral qualities of the first girl become intoxicating. Ok, so she also has great big hooters. For me the F-3 is the marrying kind.

Where does that leave the Yamamoto A08-S? Well, she is a refined slut with brains. It really depends on what type of significant amplification other that you wish to spend long hours/minutes in the dark (listening to music) with.
The yamo brings back the palpability and focus of the Charlize, and, adds more tonal meat and over all refinement that is at least equal to that of the F-3. The yamo more effortlessly floats instruments and especially vocals in the air in a reach out and touch them way. The yamo performs itâ€™s magic at lower volumes than the F-3. The F-3 tends to need to play at higher volumes to get that lead vocalist out in the room where I want it to be. I found myself listening to the F-3 at higher volumes to acquire the kind of dynamic differentiation that I prefer.

Actually, the D and the yamo sounded more alike than did the two solid staters. The Charlize and the Yamo shared the exciting Technicolor palpable there ness, where individual instruments, vocals, and images float dimensionally separate from one another at even very low volumes. On the other hand I found that the F-3 offered a more homogeneous perspective that was addictively musical over VERY long listening sessions. Did I mention that the F-3 runs hotter than my yamo tube amplifier?

The yamo is tonally the densest and richest of the three amplifiers. It offers the spooky floating images of the D amplifier with a smoother and more relaxed and refined perspective. Bass was quite good with all three amplifiers. However, I would give the yamo and F-3 the nod in the bass region.
Midrange clarity and detail were very good for all three as well. The defining differences between these three is not in the detail and or clarity of their midranges. It is how each amplifier punched a specific midrange instrument or vocal on to the artificial musical tapestry in front of me. For me, the D and Yamo painted more distinct and believable instruments through out the midrange portion of the artificial tapestry. Things were just less flat.
Highs were a very strong suit for the F-3. Far more refined and delicate than the D amplifier, and a bit more natural and refined than my yamo. Not to mention more extended.

End result? Well,
I still have not found a solid state (or tube amplifier for that matter) that makes me want to post my Yamamoto A08-S for sale on Audiogon.

I am, however, quite surprised at just how good the Pass Labs F-3 is. Way better than the F-2 that I had last year in my opinion. I can definitely hear what all the fuss is about with the First Watt amplifiers, especially this one. It is more than encouraging knowing that those of us who have spent a small fortune on replacement tubes over the years have other sonically comparable choices now. Thanks Nelson Pass. I canâ€™t wait to hear what you do next.

The real shocker in this comparison is the $111.00 Charlize amplifier. It may only require a moderate high frequency refinement to compete heads up with my Yamamoto A08-S. They have many of their best qualities in common.
If I had to choose between the F-3 and the shocking little Charlize amplifier, then I would choose the F-3. It is just so much more refined and listenable at this time.

Ok, so I prefer my Yamo hands down while driving my Lowther DX-4/Medallion speaker combination. But, keep in mind that it is, at best, a 2-watt amplifier with extremely limited useful potential. I am contemplating collecting a pair of 15â€: vintage Tannoy dual concentric drivers. Hey, I may have found my â€œHolly Grailâ€ with the DX-4â€™s (You pick your cabinet or no cabinet), which I feel are the most remarkable single drivers that I have ever heard period. But, I also love the ultimate dynamics and realism that big coaxial and multi-compression driver front horns offer in spades. My little two-watt A08-S just wonâ€™t have the horsepower to get er done with all but the most efficient speakers.
The Charlize and especially the F-3 will not only offer nearly all of the magic of my Yamo, but they will take you and your music to far more places.
That said, this Yamamoto A08-S fitted with EML solid plate 45 tubes is absolutely magical through all of my speakers. The other two amplifiers are quite musical and screaming bargains as well as technological breakthrough products. However, the Yamamoto A08-S is still in a different and very unique league (similar to the DX-4 in my opinion) in my opinion and in my system.

I cannot believe that these monster amplifiers range in price from $2,500 down to $111,00! Things will never be the same.

LA.

Product Weakness: Little bugger runs very hot.
Product Strengths: Clarity, smoothness, uncanny musicality, long term listenability, and all at a very reasonable price.

Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier:	Pass Labs F-3, Charlize T-amp, Yamamoto A08S.
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	Bent Audio TVC passive volume attenuator
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	Sony XA777ES SACD/CD player
Speakers:	Lowther DX-4/Medallion III, Adire 10.1, B&W Nautalis 805, Martin Logan CLS 1, Chartwell LS3\5a, Fostex FE206ES-R/Big Port 2.5 cabinets, and Lowther PM2 MK II Ticonal drivers in Tractrix 150HZ front horns. Two corner loaded powered ten inch subwoofers.
Cables/Interconnects:	Interconnects: Diy Fine Silver through out. Speaker : 2.5 Meter Audience AU24.
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	All types
Room Size (LxWxH):	20' x 13'.5 x 9'
Room Comments/Treatments:	Room tunes and other reflective/absoptive devices strategically placed.
Time Period/Length of Audition:	Two Weeks
Other (Power Conditioner etc.):	Poiwer Plant P-300
Type of Audition/Review:	Home Audition

Product Weakness:	Little bugger runs very hot.
Product Strengths:	Clarity, smoothness, uncanny musicality, long term listenability, and all at a very reasonable price.