Ayre mx-r vs. Pass xa 60.5

I've owned both the MXR and XA160.5 amps. Obviously both are very good amps. I cannot believe the Pass is having issues with bass and control. I would first look to your speakers and room treatments before discarding your Pass amps.

That being said, I prefer the Ayre amps because I thought it sounded more transparent and dynamic in my system but at this level its splitting hairs.

I agree with Tboooe completely. I can't imagine anything but bass node problems in that room....

I don't know if it's truly related to "bass control and speed," but I've seen a number of people (myself included) comment that the XA amps can be a little soft on bass. Like Peterayer, that can lead some people to prefer the X series over the XAs.

What kind of speakers do you have, and what kind of load do they present to the amps? That info might help guide people's responses here...

Cal
I have the Vivid audio G3 speaker which impedance is 6 ohm (4 minimal) and sensitivity 87 db.

It depends how much money you want to spend. I owned the 30.5, 60.5 and also the 100.5. There are two possibilities; you soend more money and go for the 100.5. Or you also can go for a 350.5 as well. I own now the X250.5. I love the control and drive. It is also a little bit more spatial in the high freq. The limitation of Ayre compared to Pass is that the stage is less deep and less wide. Also the Pass is better in sound realism. I tested a few Ayre amp in 2009. I Always test how wide and deep the stage is. I want to know the sound. It is very good in the high freq. But in 3D stage it is not as the best like Pass Labs. It is a lot less deep. You miss the musical mid freq. of the Pass.