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

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.

Hi Guys,

Apologies for the late update, was tied up and seldom log into the site.

Yes, I've upgraded to the XA100.5 and used the same VSA Unifield 2s on the 100.5 and 60.5.

What I felt from different amps on the same speaker, the 100.5 sure have more headroom, and sounds less congested when playing heavy tracks(classical and live rock concert). The beautiful mids are similar to the 60.5 but do feel there's slightly more definition and resolution with the 100.5 on the mids and highs hence the soundstage sounds more focus. Some increase in width and height on the soundstage too.

Overall, the music picture portrayed by the 100.5 is towards a denser and complete sound if compared with the 60.5.

The 60.5 is a great amp, but with higher Pure Class A watts using the same design does better it and it should being a higher cost model.

If one can stretch, go for the 100.5. I agree from some of the comments I read and heard, the 100.5 is the sweet spot model among the XA.5 series in Pass Labs.

Now as they say, nothing is perfect. Coming to the down side of 100.5, I am always craving for even more resolution, more speed and a tighter and more defined low ends from them especially when I am listening for live music concerts on classical or rock. Believe this is the design and characteristic of Pass Labs sounding slightly layback with benefit of a more beautiful mids and highs.

I have since moved on and am very happy what I can achieve with the Soulutions.

Cheers

"always craving for even more resolution, more speed and a tighter and more defined low ends...design and characteristic of Pass Labs sounding slightly layback"

Interesting, because that is not what I experience. Not doubting what you hear or your musical preferences because you've done the comparison. But, I hear natural and flowing music. Pace, detail, staging, and lower end are just right.

Solution seems to make fine amps, too.

"Overall, the music picture portrayed by the 100.5 is towards a denser and complete sound if compared with the 60.5.

If one can stretch, go for the 100.5. I agree from some of the comments I read and heard, the 100.5 is the sweet spot model among the XA.5 series in Pass Labs."

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Exactally my fillings.

I enjoyed the XA100.5 very much until I bought a new pair of inefficient speakers and found the amps did not have quite the power the speakers needed. So I traded the amps in for a pair of XA160.5's. The result was a more open and effortless sound with a slight increase in soundstage depth and clarity. Bass also had more impact with slightly more control. There were no areas in which the sound got worse. But they are heavier and hotter, take up more space and use more energy.

Perhaps the 10.5 is the sweet spot, but if one needs more power, I'd recommend as much class A power as one can afford. There does not seem to be a sonic price as you go up the XA.5 line.