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Pass XA Monoblock Amps

I know there have been many threads on these amps and the different levels of power with each set. To those who owned the Pass XA60.5 and went to the Pass XA100.5 monoblocks, did you feel that the change made a big difference in your system or was it not that noticeable whether played at low to mid level volume levels or high volume. I currently own the Pass 60.5 and am contemplating the Pass 100.5. Some people have suggested that it would take a move to the Pass XA160.5 for it to really make a difference but that would unfortunately be out of my price range. The room is 12 by 24 and the speaker load is 2 ten inch seas woofers, 2 seven inch mids, and the tweeter. They are 4 ohm with a sensitivity of 91 but a big speaker. Any thoughts from Pass owners of these amps would be appreciated. The other direction i can go would be to upgrade my Pre-amp from the Rowland Capri but my initial thought was that the Pass amp change would be more of an upgrade. Thanks for your thoughts.
pettyfeversk
pettyfeversk OP
87 posts
 
Peterayer,

The needles on the amps move when i get to high volume levels . Thanks for your thoughts as well as Tom's thoughts. I know its hard to describe but I wonder what the Pass pre-amps bring to the match with the Pass amps as I have only heard my amps with the Capri. What i had read in the past about Pass Pre amps was that they tended to sound a bit on the thin side and were on the detailed side of neutral. It sounds like you are quite happy with sound you are getting from the XP-20.
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,250 posts
 
It would seem that the Pass XA60.5 driving 91 db efficient speakers in a 12x 24 room should be more than enough power. What are your listening levels in db?
pettyfeversk OP
87 posts
 
Hi Charles,

I don't know what my listening levels are in db. I know that the volume control on my Capri pre-amp goes from 0-100. When I get in the zone of 65-75, the bias meters start moving and i can tell that the amp is going out of class a to a/b. When this happens depends on the recording.
mdowns32's avatar
mdowns32
71 posts
 
I also own XA60.5's and recently replaced my X-1 pre with the XP-10 and feel the XP-10 gives a little more of everything. I've never heard the Capri, so can't comment on that.

I've also considered moving up to the XA100.5's but in my room size of 10X18 the meters rarely move. I'm running Martin Logan CLS IIz with a 86 dB sensitivity but they are crossed over at 88 Hz to my sub, so my power requirements are less.
rtn1
535 posts
 
I agree with "some people". Get the XA160.5s. Particularly if you like orchestral music. It's not just about loudness, but playing complex and large pieces without strain. I also have 91 dB sensitivity speakers into 4 ohms, and I can still get the meter to bounce a little when all 100 musicians are playing at the same time.

The only downside to having too much power with these amps is the heat. The big ones sound beautiful as well. I still can't think of an amp I'd rather have. Except for maybe the Pass XS300...
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