Pass Int-150 or Int-30A for PMC Speakers?

Yes they are the 1007 Be's. One of the issues with the INT-30 is that it doesn't have a meter so I really could not tell what was going. With some recordings Telarc Tchaikovsky 1812 overture, the digital canons for example, I thought the amp ran out of room. This seemed to occur on other recordings with a lot or percussion type passages. But it is hard tell for sure if it was the amp or the recording as recordings can vary greatly. I do know I ran the amp into the high end of the volume control. It maxes out at 63 and I ran it into the high 40's low 50's. This concerned me as I have never run a volume control this near it's max value.

But in general the amp was very good bettering the Cary in every way imaginable. This is why I think a jump up the Pass line perhaps the XA60's with a XP-10 or 20 would work very well and take away any issue with regards to power.

Chuck

Fiddlerontheroof I agree I need to stay with the XA series of amps as they are wonderful in their presentation. And I am sure mated with a XP 10 or 20 pre they would make a wonderful combination. And who knows I may end up with a pair of 1038 Be's.

Love your moniker by the way.

Chuck

Hey Chuck,

The XP10 and XA60.5 should be plenty for you. Frankly, I am shocked the Int-30A wasn't enough for your Focals. I know that Telarc recording well. That recording has been the extreme testing for audiophiles for the last 20 years!

If you are sure to end up with 1038 in the near future, you may want to wait to upgrade your electronics. You may need XP20 and XA160.5 or even XA200.5. Start saving!

Other than the strong percussive moments, did you have other problems with the Int-30A? I don't ever listen to big stuff... The biggest pieces I listen to are Beethoven's 5th and 9th. Maybe some Brahms... They are loud, intense, but not aggressive. Do you think the Int-30A will hold up?

Fiddlerontheroof

Yes I think the INT-30 will meet your needs very well. It was a beautiful amp and performed admirably. I would recommend it highly.

I wonder if going to separates say the XA30 with an XP20 would provide a bit more gain and texture. I really hate the thought of more boxes by going with mono-blocs.

Chuck

A friend of mine moved progressively up the XA line driving Wilson Sophias, finally going all the way to the biggest and baddest of them. This despite that fact that these amps apparently put out far more power than the stated spec. So I'm not sure the XA60.5 will get the the canons right for you. Maybe these amps just don't =sound= all that powerful?