Pass Lab XA30.5 with Totems

Thanks to all for the valuable information. It all makes sense and points me in the right direction to follow as i just got the amp.

If you love the amp, and it doesn't quite work with the speakers (you may be fine), it is certainly an amp worth building a system around, it is a great SS amp. It was extraordinairy with my Merlin VSM-MXes, but still preferred an OTL with the speaker. I agree with TVAD observations about the desire to have these XA.5s provide enough power, I would say that they perform as they do have more power than their ratings would suggest, but there is a reason for the higher powered versions.

Every system should be built around speakers, not an amplifier or source(s).

Starting with an amp is like buying a set of tires then finding a car to fit them.

I agree with the speakers being the starting place for building a system as it defines the basic sound and then sets the parameters for the amps that can best drive the speakers. Some speakers narrow the choices considerably, especially if your preference is to use tubes, and low powered tubes at that.

Disclaimer: I am a dealer for Pass and Proac, however if you like Totem speakers why not go right to Proac. Similar look, sound better (I find Proac's more transparent and dyamic though) similar price and are easily driven with the XA30.5. Email me if you want more info, but I use Proacs and the XA30.5 for my main display and it is magical.

Almost all Proacs can be driven by little as 10 watts or sometimes less.