Pass Labs XA60.5 with Confidence C1

Keithr-exactly.

This is why I visit this forum and I appreciate all the feedback...

I LOVE my C1s and there may be many better speakers out there but I guess as I dig deeper into my crazed mind (-: and what I am looking for is the fact that I don't always listen to the C1s at concert levels. Sometimes I want a nice comfortable listening level as I may be working from home to pay for this stuff and I want a little lower listening level so I can focus on some work.

I know that the Dyns in general sound much better pumped up in volume but sometimes I want to chill and not have to do this...

I love these speakers too much to let them go and with the Confidence Center we are talking some good stuff here for a stereo/ht set-up. My current multi-channel Simaudio Titan is no pussy at 200 into 8 and 400 into 4 and first 5 class A and sounds pretty damn good and maybe I am tripping on this amp upgrade but I would like a little more detail at low listening levels and I want dang near orgasim at fun listening levels for both stereo and blu-ray concerts. Thing is I want even more and I do believe I am cheating my C1s in sound quality although my ears have become used to what I am hearing and cranked up is quite impressive for a five channel.

I really want to weigh my options here but I refuse to under-power but I also believe that there is nothing gained from complete over-kill and may actually take away from the sound quality of the entire "package".

There are many directions I can go and if I need to step up to $12k for Pass XA100.5 demo there are a few other amps I would check out to be sure...and gasp that includes Krell Evolution.

Now XA60.5 for the price, looks good but once again, not at the sake of underpower...

And no, I don't listen to Kenny G in a small room but I do enjoy Coldplay to Sarah K in a less than huge room (-:

Thanks all-

It is reckoning time soon...

Rick

Vinw- what higher power amplifiers have you tried?

Because all of my use with C1s directly contradicts your statements. 30 watts won't do it. I blew through 200 watts on a McIntosh. I had a 100 watt digital amp that got smoked by the C1s. I had 300 watts into 4 ohms on my BAT which seemed to do the trick. However, the best amp i had on them was a Pass X250.5 which is much more powerful---and had control/speed/clarity in spades.
I think a lot of folks under drive their speakers---or only listen to acoustic music in small rooms.

I also think this speaker is weak at low level listening, but that's another topic for another day.
Keithr

Keith, I've tried Pass X150.5, 250.5, and 350.5, Krell 2250,
FPB 200, Sim W5, Mc 402, ASL Hurricane ....to name a few.
Your room must be very large to have tripped the 200W Mac amp. A good 30 W class A to start with is enough for a small to average room. Mine is 21'X 17' enclosed room with a few sound panels. Even at high listening level, the 30.5 bias meter stays still.

....... but the combination of the c1 tweeter and the razor sharp resolution of the pass might be tipped too hot.
Dpac996

Good observation, but many considered the C1s to be boring and volume needs to be cranked up to sound good. This is where the XA.5 series paired with good front end and sources would be a favorable match to bring out the best of the C1's capabilities. It woudn't be too hot, IME.

Now XA60.5 for the price, looks good but once again, not at the sake of underpower...

And no, I don't listen to Kenny G in a small room but I do enjoy Coldplay to Sarah K in a less than huge room (-:

Thanks all-

It is reckoning time soon...

Rick
Dynguy

Rick, as I've said the 60.5 should be more than enough power and headroom for the C1, otherwise you are overloading them. Best is to bring it in for an audition and compare them to your Sim amp.