Pass Labs xa-25 or Coda Continum #8

I looked at the #8 and the S5.5. In the dealer's showroom the #8 was marginally more appealing to me with the same Legacy speakers (various models). Ultimately I selected the Pass XA 25. I felt it was more neutral with the Coda amps having a bit or warmth (could have been the speakers though).

I have the opposite issue regarding speakers. My Acoustats have a db83 rating and I was concerned the XA 25 would not have enough power for them, in which case I would have looked at the XA 30.8, or reconsidered the Coda options. The XA 25 has no issue with the my inefficient giants. It does get a bit warm, but it is definitely worth it.

Have fun with the search. 

OP, 

Yes I understand. I am by nature not a patient person. I completely get it. Whittling it down to a hand full is good. When you get your speakers you can focus on getting to know them and positioning them. Sounds like you already know it will take a couple hundred hours to break in. So, while nothing wrong about listening to them out of the box... they are likely to sound terrible, and sound disappointing. Some speakers sound pretty good out of the box, many sound terrible... but virtually all change a lot in the first couple hundred hours. Run them 24 hours a day... so by the weekend you have a hundred hours on them... at least that will take the edge off them... maybe more. Break in time varies by speaker. Keep them running 24 by 7 for at least 10 days. Then they should sound like they are going to sound, 

Thank you. It’s fun until I have to commit to a choice! Lol. Buying used and reselling is the way to go for the time being. 

I’m learning ghdprenice. Bought them used. Slightly over a year old. Apparently the guy upgraded, which is a good sign. Greg has explained the best positioning but of course will have to tinker. For me, the biggest adjustment will be the sound. I’m going from Audio Note to Volti. Pretty much opposite dynamically and impact wise. So, I’m not camping out in front of them for a bit. Will just keep them on as I do my thing. Then when the time comes, sit and listen at low level volumes. The ear and brain will take a bit of time to adjust I think. I don’t want to rush the transition. 

Update. I received the Volti’s yesterday. I broke every rule I promised myself. I wasn’t going to listen too long, loud or parked right in front of the system. Turned them on and just put some easy jazz on while I put boxes away etc….Piano wasn’t piercing and it sounded great. Ended up listening for 3 hours before I had to leave. Zero ear fatigue. 
Came home and put the system on again for another 3 hours with a bit more critical listening. Overall, thus far the Volti’s offer a very balanced sound, treble-mids-bass wise. They seem in the proper proportions to my ears. Nothing lacking. I was concerned regarding the dynamics being too much or a bit manic. Not the case. Certainly livier than the Audio Notes but very enjoyable. The Lucera’s filled in the missing parts that I felt the AN’s lacked perfectly. Just a great speaker top to bottom. Now I don’t want to bash AN. They have a sort of mid range magic that the Volti’s don’t have. A sparkle for lack of a better word. Audio Notes excel at a certain volume with a certain type of music. The Volti’s are a better all around speaker. For my ears anyway.