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

Nicks,

I use a pair of XA-100.5s with my Vandy 5As in a 14 by 24ft room. The meters on the XA-100.5s rarely move (leaving class A) unless I am playing fairly loud (above average 90dB) or listening to something with quite a bit of dynamic range (symphonic music) -- in either case on peaks above 98-100dB. My listening position is about 12-14 feet back from the plane of the speaker baffles.

I originally purchased a pair of XA-60.5s for my system after running a pair of ModWright KWA-150s in bridged mode on high bias. I really liked the tone of the ModWrights and thought I'd like to try full class A. Given that the 5As have powered woofers, I thought that the XA-60.5s would be sufficient for my system, room, and listening habits, but I found them swinging out of class A (moving meters) more than I liked. So I traded up to a pair of XA-100.5s and have been very, very happy. That said, if I find myself with extra cash lying around after upgrading my front end and preamp, I would love to have a pair of XA-160.5s just because.

Based on my experience, I think the XA-100.5s would be more than adequate in your situation.

I have thiel 2.4 speakers. I am curious as to how you compared the modwright amps to the pass xa100.5. I very much appreciate your input.

Tom

I owned them both in the past. The difference in sound and more in authority is clear. The overwhole sound of the 100.5 was a lot better. The same about the stage and the extra authority. I found the difference bigger than I thought it would be. That time I used it with the XP-20.