Assuming the XA 100.5's behave in the same manner as the recently reviewed and measured XA 30.5's, I think it is fair to say that the amps have a lot more power in A/B.
In the Stereophile measurements section, it achieved its power rating of 30 watts in Class A with distortion at .015% and didn't clip (defined as reaching 1% distortion) until 130 watts!
As Madfloyd has already stated, you have to play music at same ear damaging levels to get the amps out of pure Class A mode, so people should just enjoy the Pass magic.
Slightly off topic...
Audiofeil, since you are both a Pass and Atma-Sphere dealer, any comments on how the XA-100.5's would compare to the Atma-Sphere MA-1's on appropriate speakers?
At some point Madfloyd will hopefully be bringing his XA-100.5's over to my place so we can compare them directly to my MA-1's on Vandersteen 5A's. Both are great amps and neither is really "better" than the other, but I am sure one will be preferred over the other depending on system setup and individual preferences.
George
In the Stereophile measurements section, it achieved its power rating of 30 watts in Class A with distortion at .015% and didn't clip (defined as reaching 1% distortion) until 130 watts!
As Madfloyd has already stated, you have to play music at same ear damaging levels to get the amps out of pure Class A mode, so people should just enjoy the Pass magic.
Slightly off topic...
Audiofeil, since you are both a Pass and Atma-Sphere dealer, any comments on how the XA-100.5's would compare to the Atma-Sphere MA-1's on appropriate speakers?
At some point Madfloyd will hopefully be bringing his XA-100.5's over to my place so we can compare them directly to my MA-1's on Vandersteen 5A's. Both are great amps and neither is really "better" than the other, but I am sure one will be preferred over the other depending on system setup and individual preferences.
George