Pass Labs XA- ".5" ???

Price change is maybe only for USA. In Europe prices are high enough ;-)

Not exactly an impulse purchase here in the US either.

I drive my x250.5 with Wilson Sophia 2 (89db 4ohm ) meter starts moving around -35db-45db(boulder pre.). However, I can make critic listening just a bit below -50db. That is ,I think, near limits of Class A operation. I didn't sense of any signal of congestion from either speaker and amplifier side.
Keep in mind Wilson Sophia2's impedence drops 3.26 ohm and Pass x-250.5 will not drop more than 4 ohm.

I have been very interested in the new XA.5 amps for a while now. I have the XA160 and have a sneaking suspicion (unfounded though) that maybe they are a bit unpowered and perhaps an impedance mismatch for my pre. The new XA100.5 specs shows more power, higher input impedance, and higher damping factor. Has anyone had the chance to listen to any of the now available XA.5 amps? Here is what Nelson Pass said about the new XA.5 amps compared to the current XA series:

They tend to sound like a cross between the earlier XA and X.5
amplifiers.

Comparing the XA.5 to the XA's, our subjective listeners
consistently report:

The soundstage is larger and deeper.

Placement is more accurate.

The bottom end is tighter.

The midrange has greater definition.

There is strong similarity in the upper mid and top end.

Our measurements show:

Greater power, current, speed, and damping.

Lower distortion and noise.

Comparing the XA.5 to the X.5's, we see simiilar results
subjectively, except that the mid and top is smoother.

Objectively, the distortion is lower.

Tboooe, I have heard the new XA.5 amps in a very good system and I could not tell the difference between my XA-100's and the new XA.5 amps. So, if I were you I would just relax or put your money in other pieces in your system.