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Pass XA60.5's or Cary CAD 500 MB for Maggie 1.7?

I recently passed the 200 hour break-in of my new Maggie 1.7's using all sorts of different mid-fi SS amps and am now trying to decide which hi-end amps to pair with them.

My room is relatively small, 12' x 14' x 10', and I listen primarily to acoustic guitar, female vocals, jazz etc at what a friend refers to as polite listening levels, usually no more than 85db. I've read many threads here as regards the "best" amps for Maggies, and it's come down to a decision between these two.

I love the midrange purity of class "A" amps, but also crave deep (for Maggies), tight and controlled bass. Thus my choice of these 2 amps. I suppose an amp that combined the best of both would be ideal.

While my room is air-conditioned, I sometimes close the door to keep other household noises to a minimum, and wonder if either or both of these amps may put out too much heat, making the room uncomfortable. I live in Dallas where it routinely is 100+ degrees in the summer, but the air-conditioning keeps it a comfortable 75 degrees indoors.

As for sonics, I know Macdadtexas favors the Cary's, and Teajay the Pass. I'd especially be interested in the opinions of anyone who might have heard both of these amps with Maggie's. And certainly any opinions on either of these amps is welcome.

Thanks in advance for your input.
kenl
don_c55
1,025 posts
 
I have Magnepan 3.6's driven by an Ampzilla 2000 (200 wpc @4 ohms) in a 16 x 8 x 24' room and have more than enough power.

The Pass lab power amps work great with Magnepans. The Xa60.5 is very expensive, perhaps you should also look at the X150.5.

I do not think heat will be a big problem if you do not listen continuously all day. I turn off the air to reduce noise when I listen.

I own a Pass Lab Xono, X1 for pre-amplification and they are hard to beat. Nelson Pass has designed many of the Magnepan xovers and knows Magnepans very well.
brownsfan
1,508 posts
 
I haven't heard both amps, but I've used the Cary 500 MBs for a couple of years with my 1.6QRs. The Carys run cool. They don't put out nearly as much heat as my McCormack DNA 1 monoblocks did. I would describe the Cary/Maggie midrange as heavenly. I just love those amps and I expect to keep them until death do us part! For me, they are the "stop looking" answer. Before I bought the Cary's I also had a strong interest in the Pass amps. I decided to go with the Cary's and have never had a moment of regret. I don't doubt the Pass amps are also a good match. They good thing is that resale of either is no problem, so experimentation is not that painful.
kenl OP
131 posts
 
Thanks guys. Appreciate the input. Yes, the Pass XA60.5's are expensive, so I'll need to find a good deal on a used pair. I'd prefer to go with monoblocks, and love Class A, thus my preference over the X150.5.

The Cary's seem to be hard to find, so that's the downside there. However, I think I may just wait for a pair to come up on Agon, unless a really good deal on a pair of XA60.5's presents itself.
macdadtexas
1,794 posts
 
I do love my Cary's, but....I think Pass Labs makes about the best sounding amps there are period. With almost any speaker.

That said, for the 1.7's I would look at the new Sanders Sound (or an Innersound ESL 300 if you can find one). I had an Innersound ESL with my first pair of Maggies (1.6's), and then used it with a set of 3.6R's and that is one great amp.

There is a great synergy with the Sanders/Innersound amps and Maggies. I would try that before I ponied up for the Cary or Pass. But, you can't go wrong with any of those great amps.

Congrats and enjoy.
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