Pass X vs XA amps sound quality in class A range

I have a small room (15'X16'X7.3') and don't listen very loudly. However, my speakers are 86dB with a 4ohm load and I just played the Chesky Drum Track LP at 95dB and my needles were moving all over the place, not pegged, but they moved about 3/4" every time the kick drum was struck. So that is with 320 Class A watts into 4 ohms, probably more peak power in Class A and then there is Class AB. I agree you probably won't clip them. I don't know the specs of your speakers, but you do have a very large room. With these Class A amps, I have found that one should buy the largest amp he can afford.

Is there any chance you can audition them before you buy?

However, my speakers are 86dB with a 4ohm load and I just played the Chesky Drum Track LP at 95dB and my needles were moving all over the place, not pegged, but they moved about 3/4" every time the kick drum was struck.

My speaker sensitivity is 92dB, so the 100.5's play way loud enough and the bias meters barely budge from their starting position.

had the same "problem" as peterayer, which i covered in my review in positive feedback. best solution: buy the biggest XA you can afford...and maybe you cannot. they're fabulous amps. (id own them if the heat of the larger amps weren't prohibitive in my small room in texas)

Another question for you all then: When the XA series exceed their rated outputs, do they cross over into class AB or clippings occur right away?

In the case of the 30 watts XA.5, clipping occurs at 130 watts into 8 ohms, higher into 4ohms. If you search the Stereophile archives, you'll find a review with performance measurements.