This product is the work of Jam Somasundram, who joined us early this
year. He's an old friend of the company, and previously consulted for Wadia
and Sumiko, and designed two amplifiers for Cary. A big fan electrostatic
loudspeakers (Stax headphones and Soundlabs panels).
😎
year. He's an old friend of the company, and previously consulted for Wadia
and Sumiko, and designed two amplifiers for Cary. A big fan electrostatic
loudspeakers (Stax headphones and Soundlabs panels).
😎
Thanks for your kind words Michael.
I have known Mr.Pass for more than thirty years and he has been one of my mentors and has had a huge influence on my career. Getting the opportunity to join the Pass design team has been a dream come true (in other words play in Nelson's and Wayne's sandbox. I like to think of it as the Silicon Skunkworks)
What I have designed reflects ideas learned from Mr.Pass and other noted designers with my own take on the final implementation, while keeping with the Pass tradition of quality and excellence. Kudos to Desmond Harrington, for the design and cosmetics of the chassis. We have a talented group of people here that have contributed to this project.
I would like to thank Mr.Pass for the opportunity to design this amplifier and his kind input and advice.
I have known Mr.Pass for more than thirty years and he has been one of my mentors and has had a huge influence on my career. Getting the opportunity to join the Pass design team has been a dream come true (in other words play in Nelson's and Wayne's sandbox. I like to think of it as the Silicon Skunkworks)
What I have designed reflects ideas learned from Mr.Pass and other noted designers with my own take on the final implementation, while keeping with the Pass tradition of quality and excellence. Kudos to Desmond Harrington, for the design and cosmetics of the chassis. We have a talented group of people here that have contributed to this project.
I would like to thank Mr.Pass for the opportunity to design this amplifier and his kind input and advice.
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Jam can you tell us a little bit about this design and what you reckon, modesty allowing, makes it special ?
I just don't like that neutrik locking plug! Is it necessary because of the amplifiers design?
Some amplifiers without output protection fry the output devices when the user removes the jack and momentarily shorts the channels to ground.
Other wise it's a beautiful design and would love to see some pictures from the inside!
Some amplifiers without output protection fry the output devices when the user removes the jack and momentarily shorts the channels to ground.
Other wise it's a beautiful design and would love to see some pictures from the inside!
If you gentlemen could give me a few of days I will have more information for you. I am in the middle of a mini vacation.
The one subject I have to address is the choice of headphone jack. We chose a Neutrik here because of its construction and durability. This has to last a long time and it is the best we found to meet our design criteria. A lot of manufacturers use inexpensive plastic connectors that crack and fail with time and repeated use not something we condone or allow at Pass.
The other point raised was the cosmetic aspect of the jack, granted it is industrial looking but a vast majority of people that have seen it like it. We also tried a chrome version and black screws but it simply did not look as good. I suppose you can not please everyone. That being said, reliability is key.
The one subject I have to address is the choice of headphone jack. We chose a Neutrik here because of its construction and durability. This has to last a long time and it is the best we found to meet our design criteria. A lot of manufacturers use inexpensive plastic connectors that crack and fail with time and repeated use not something we condone or allow at Pass.
The other point raised was the cosmetic aspect of the jack, granted it is industrial looking but a vast majority of people that have seen it like it. We also tried a chrome version and black screws but it simply did not look as good. I suppose you can not please everyone. That being said, reliability is key.
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To those of you that wanted to know a little more about the Pass HPA-1, sorry about the late posting.
The gain stage is basically a CFA design with jfet inputs and mosfet outputs. Great care has taken with the power supply i.e. transformer and regulators.
I believe you can get more information if you look at the press releases.
We spent many months voicing the unit and this should hopefully be apparent in the final product.
Jam
The gain stage is basically a CFA design with jfet inputs and mosfet outputs. Great care has taken with the power supply i.e. transformer and regulators.
I believe you can get more information if you look at the press releases.
We spent many months voicing the unit and this should hopefully be apparent in the final product.
Jam
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