PASS LABS XA-30.5 vs XA-60.5


Hello all,
Has anyone heard the differences between these two amps, and have done A/B comparrisons on them? I have a XA-30.5 that I'm using with Totem Hawk Speakers. The XA-30.5 drives them very well, but I have been told the 60.5’s give you much better smoothness and cohesiveness, better imaging, better bass control, greater ease and greater resolution.

Here's the million dollar question:

I am ready for my next upgrade and have roughly $6000. Should I upgrade to the XA-60.5's or upgrade my Esoteric X03-SE cd player to the Esoteric seperates P-05 transport and D-05 DAC??

I have very appealing offers for both options.

Any Thoughts?

My system:

Pass Labs XA-30.5 amp
Pass Labs X0.2 preamp
Esoteric XO3-SE cd player
BPT 3.5 Ultra Sig. power conditioner
Totem Hawk speakers
AudioPath custom IC's and speaker cable
Shunyay Python CX power cords
roor

Showing 1 response by denon1

Roor, the emdog is right. You weak link is he speakers. Changing amp or cd player will not give you any audible results. I had esoteric x-03se and upgraded it to x01d2. Until I upgraded speakers and cables, I did not hear any difference at all. You will waste your money. Pass amps are great, but you gotta move up with the speakers first, than I think the amp. After that may be cd player. X-03se is a sweet spot in esoteric line.