Sonus Faber Stradivari amp: X600.5 or X1000.5 ?

A gentleman I know is using the CJ ART amplifiers with the Strads, and the sound is absolutely amazing! These are the finest tube amplifiers I have ever heard, the CJ amplifiers were able to play quite loudly in his room 30 feet long 20 wide 8 foot ceiling.

The new CJ ART amplifiers are remarkably transparent without any tube bloat and a rich midrange, and stunning dynamics.

If you are in his area, Long Island NY I am sure he would allow you to hear his system.

I agree with Thesoundhouse. If you are set on Pass, I would go with the XA series. I too have the X350.5 and I have the Pass-addiction as well.. My friend had a pair of Amatis and he had been wanting to try the X350.5, but we weren't too keen to hoist the beast over to his house before he moved overseas.

My impression of the Amati in his system (with Einstein preamp + BAT VK-75SE monos) was on the sweet side. So I am not sure Pass would be a good fit. But with a more analytical/neutral preamp like the ARC Ref 3, it should balance out.

My only real experience with the Strads was in a Magnolia Hi-Fi in Seattle where it was driven by all McIntosh stuff, and it didn't sound too good with that combo in that room.

FrankC

Ok i understand. But sometimes i really listen to extreme loud levels and thats why i was looking for a high power amp. Also i know that the first 100W on X600.5 are class A. Is that right ? And yes Frank, mcintosh stuff dosent sound to good with Strad. After i listened to X350.5 in my system i couldnt even change it back to my MC501. Is XA160.5 able to deliver extreme loud levels ? My room is like 35-40 square metters.
Thanks

I agree with Raquel for the most part , some bigger amps loose finesse ect , but some mid efficient speakers come to life with lots of power , not so much watts as current . You said you listened to the X350 in your system , it's twice the watts of the XA160 , that should give you an idea if the XA160 will be sufficient in your situation . There is an XA200 if you really want to get serious . Don't forget to take into account the heat that all these babies give off .

Raquel,
Well stated words of wisdom, but only if genuine music quality is the objective as opposed to spectacular Hifi. I`ve come to belive that the advent of inefficient speakers has been counter productive for the persuit of natural sound. It forces one down the path of ever bigger and more complex amplifiers to drive them.