Pass Labs:What to expect fm XA60.5 to XA100.5


Hi Guys,

Some of you may know that I have some buzz/hum issue in one of newly received XA60.5 mono blocks. The dealer diagnosed the problem and determined the transformer needs replacing. Since the XA60.5 is only few days old so I am given the chance to get a replacement set or I could top up the price difference to get the X350.5 or XA100.5s when my dealer gets their stocks in the next 3-4 weeks time.

Kudos to Pass Labs and the dealer's service for all the patience and after sales services...certainly very much appreciated and glad I go for Pass Labs.

As such, I have 3-4 weeks to listen to the current XA60.5 in my system while waiting for the stocks to arrive and make the final decision on the swap/upgrade.
elmerpoh
Elmerpoh,
You never gave your impressions of the new amps. Do you still have them and how do they compare with the XA60.5?
My speakers are 90 db efficiency. My amplifier provides 400+ watts into 4 ohms. I use every one of those watts, every day. And not just for a couple seconds.
I owned the 350.5 and the 250.5 at the same time, and for me in my system the 250.5 was the winner. It simply had better synergy equally from top to bottom. The 350.5 was leaning more to the upper frquencies and not as balanced as the 250.5

My friend also had the 250.5 and bought the xa 60's. We pretty much have the same system, and to me the xa 60 were to liniar not as much weight and body as the 250.5. Some what like the 350.5.

I here the xa 100's are more full bodied like the 250.5
My current amp is an Aleph 60W/ch. It has plenty of power for my Avantgarde Duo's. If I upgrade then I will probably go with the XA60.5's.
7p62mm: "A couple of advantages that the XA60.5 has over the XA100.5 is the 33% lower up front cost and the 33% lower power consumption (200W versus 300W)."

And in my experience, lower power versions of the same circuit generally sound better than those requiring more complex output stages for the additional power - IF you have sufficient power. With 90db speakers, 60 watts 8 ohm should be more than enough, unless you really like the idea of premature hearing loss or the ability to make you neighbors want to move or sue you.