Pass Labs amp choice for CLS - What would you do?

Srwooten, I hope my comments regarding my experience with the Pass amps compared to the Edge was not taken by you as a put down or negative statement about you or your experience regarding the X-600's vs. 10.1, if so I'm sorry if it came across that way.

The Edge amps and the Pass Labs amps are some of the finest sounding SS power amps built today. It really comes down to personnal taste and system synergy.

Teajay-
Thanks for clarifying. No offense taken.

DCHAZEN,

To the question between between X350.5 or X600. I suggest the you take a look on the specs of your speakers. If the X350.5 can handle it, much better. Don't over drive your speakers.

For preamp. You can go for Passlabs or look for a tube preamp with a simple circuit like EAR 834L chrome, Audio Research, VTL etc.

Thanks for the feedback. As I continue to talk to people and read it is becoming clear that the .5 model change is important. The CLS likes a lot of power and the impedance can dip down to 2 ohms, so the amp has to be stable. I understand that the original XA series had issues with handling low impedance speakers, but this was corrected in the .5 series. The pure class A power of the XA is supposed to be phenomenal sounding, but the class A watts are more expensive. On the other hand, I have read that you don't need as many class A watts to drive the same speaker. I have seen comments that the X350.5 and the XA100.5 are the "sweet spots" in the Pass Labs model line up in terms of power that can handle most speakers and bang for the buck. If the choice is between the X350.5 (MSRP $11K) and the XA100.5 (MSRP $16K), then what would you say?

Dchazen, if it's in your budget, in my opinion, you should go for the XA-100.5's. If you read my review on the XA-60.5's for the details regarding their sonic beauty, you will see that they are on a higher musical level then the X-.5 amps and yet now have the current/watts to drive virtually any speaker. I would also suggest you give a call to Mark at Reno Hi-Fi with any questions you might have and he's great to do business with. You could set up a 30 day home audition, if you don't keep the amps you pay for shipping back and a very small restocking fee.