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Pass Labs:What to expect fm XA60.5 to XA100.5

Hi Guys,

Some of you may know that I have some buzz/hum issue in one of newly received XA60.5 mono blocks. The dealer diagnosed the problem and determined the transformer needs replacing. Since the XA60.5 is only few days old so I am given the chance to get a replacement set or I could top up the price difference to get the X350.5 or XA100.5s when my dealer gets their stocks in the next 3-4 weeks time.

Kudos to Pass Labs and the dealer's service for all the patience and after sales services...certainly very much appreciated and glad I go for Pass Labs.

As such, I have 3-4 weeks to listen to the current XA60.5 in my system while waiting for the stocks to arrive and make the final decision on the swap/upgrade.
elmerpoh

Showing 2 responses by auxetophone

auxetophone
114 posts
 
I bought a pair of XA160.5's based on a combination of auditioning an XA30.5, advice from Aerial about 20T's power requirements, reading about Peterayer's experience, and this commentary from an email to Pass, which might help a little. You might want to email them about your specific circumstances.

I am very happy with the XA160.5's by the way. You should know that the XA100.5's will heat your room about 50% more than the XA60.5's - I would estimate 1,400 btu/hr for the pair. The extra ~500 btu's are unlikely to matter much if you have ample air conditioning - it's like having two more people sitting in the room.

>>
>> The XA30.5 is very much a good indication of the XA line both for
>> spectral balance and detail. As you move to the larger pieces you get
>> "more" of what the XA-30.5 already is.
>>
>> The exception if there is such a thing would be the XA60.5's. They are
>> more dynamic and powerful as one would expect, but their character is
>> very slighlty warmer than the XA30.5 and XA100.5 at low to moderate
>> listening levels
>>
>> The XA100.5's are very similar in character to the XA30.5 but by virtue
>> of their ability to drive any load we can imagine, pretty much set the
>> standard for dynamic contrast and focus of image.

>> Best
>> Kent English / North American Sales
>> Pass Laboratories
>>
auxetophone
114 posts
 
A couple thought to consider, since you have a few weeks before you need to make a decision.

If the amps are brand new, they're maybe still breaking in. The sound will be a little more vivid after they are fully broken in. Make sure they ARE broken in ASAP so you're really hearing them properly.

Also, your speaker/listening positions, dacron stuffing, etc. are still probably what you found worked best with your prior amp. You might be able to get what you want for free just by going through that process again.

In the same vein, try a few other cables if you can during the next couple weeks, since it sounds like you're already pretty close to what you want, and you might feel compelled to do this anyway once you've got the amplifier thing settled.
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