Pass amps: newer xa30.8 or older xa60.5 ?

Ozzy, good advice to listen first before developing any preconceived notions. Always the best advice. Thanks

If I were giving business advice to Pass, I'd tell them to keep the lower priced .5 series around as long as oil prices remain so low!!

Ozzy, you said the worked with you to return the x350.8. How much did it cost you in the end to send it back?

The listening room is about 15x24 and speakers are B&W Matrix 803 s2. They're being driven fine with my Pass x250.5 AB model but I have a wandering eye for the class A models. I already understand the pros/cons of AB vs A. I actually also have an older Aleph 5 I sometime us, so the XA idea is just an idea.

Teajay,
Thanks I'll check out your reviews.

The listening room is about 15x24 and speakers are B&W Matrix 803 s2. They're being driven fine with my Pass x250.5 AB model but I have a wandering eye for the class A models. I already understand the pros/cons of AB vs A. I actually also have an older Aleph 5 I sometime us, so the XA idea is just an idea.

Acurus and Teajay, okay I hear what you are saying, that you feel the .8 is a signficant upgrade over the .5, but I am not comparing apples to apples. I'm comparing the 30 watt stereo single chassis .8 to the monoblock .5 which has more power and benefits from the supposed advantages of monoblocks.

Still feel the same way?

Elixir,
I haven't spoken to Kent about the .8 series. But in the past he has suggested the AB amps for B&W speakers. I've had my speakers for about 20 years since they were new, but I won't keep them forever.

I'm not actively looking to make a purchase anytime soon, I am just wondering about the comparison, because the 2 models are almost exactly the same price.

You're probably right about the power. The 100 watt monoblocks are probably the better choice for me.

In the meantime, I love my x250.5 and probably shouldn't even be thinking about the others. But I can't help it!! :)

Yeah I agree that does get tiresome. For the record I mentioned Kent who is works at Pass factory, not Reno. It was the other guy who brought up Reno.
Acurus see my question posed to you above. Thanks for your feedback.

Dave_72, Well I don't see anything in what you described at Reno being a red flag per se. Sometimes discount quotes are only good for a certain limited time as a way to close a deal. They aren't necessarily good for a long time, as inventory and replacement costs change. Getting "nasty" with and high pressure approach is something different however. Somehow I can't picture that guy Mark getting like that. I've dealt with him a few times and didn't experience anything like that. They can be kind "slick" there sometimes.

No I have not auditioned a .8 series myself at least not yet. About 220v best to just call them up or email them I guess.