Pass Labs XA- ".5" ???

tarsando, I sorry but I do not understand your response. Can you please clarify?

leffe, before upgrading did you feel that your xa100 was lacking in power? Your speakers are pretty efficient (89db)with a nominal impedance of 8 ohms. Do you think the "jump" has to do with the new amps being able to increase power as the impedance drops? Do you listen to music very loud?

Ahhh thanks everyone. It kind of sucks that I just bought my XA160 but teejay's post made me feel better. My speakers are 89db efficient and I do not listen at very loud levels at all (70-85db). That being said, I hate not having the latest and greatest. I am gonna to have to fight the urge to upgrade on this one!!! Good luck to me!! Must resist....aaahhhhhhhh

Any ideas on cost??

OK, can we get verification that the XA can be upgraded to the XA.5????

gandme, that is an interesting question. I personally believe that unless the speakers are really inefficient and dips down to less than 4 ohms and the user listens at pretty loud volumes (>90db), most people do not need a whole lot of power. I do not mean to start a war over this but I just happen to believe in quality of power over quantity. I wish I could actuall measure the amp output but my theoretical calculations for my listening conditions shows that I do not really ever need more than 140w. Empirically, I have listened to other Pass amps at very loud volumes and have never seen the meter ever move (according to PAss that means the amp is still operating in Class A).

Anyway, just my opinion...

kevziek..calm down dude...no offense meant. I heard the x350.5 with Vienna Acoustics Mahler and at what I consider loud, the meter did not move. And yes, I know that the meters on the XA do not move (I do own them after all).

What speakers do you have? The Mahlers are 90db at a nominal impedance of 6ohms.

Anyway, as I said in my post, this is just my opinion and my experiences....

Even though the meter may move, I highly doubt the amp is outputting anywhere near its rated power. All I was trying to do was support gandme's claim that the XA160 can power almost all speakers without a problem. The fact that the meters move indicating a transition from class a to class a/b operation has nothing to do with my contention that I do not believe most people need all that much power.

i am wrong so often that I definitely prefer my humble pie a la mode..adds variety to an otherwise daily occurence :)

sorry gandme, we are not the same. I couldnt help and respond to audiofeil's post though...

I have been very interested in the new XA.5 amps for a while now. I have the XA160 and have a sneaking suspicion (unfounded though) that maybe they are a bit unpowered and perhaps an impedance mismatch for my pre. The new XA100.5 specs shows more power, higher input impedance, and higher damping factor. Has anyone had the chance to listen to any of the now available XA.5 amps? Here is what Nelson Pass said about the new XA.5 amps compared to the current XA series:

They tend to sound like a cross between the earlier XA and X.5
amplifiers.

Comparing the XA.5 to the XA's, our subjective listeners
consistently report:

The soundstage is larger and deeper.

Placement is more accurate.

The bottom end is tighter.

The midrange has greater definition.

There is strong similarity in the upper mid and top end.

Our measurements show:

Greater power, current, speed, and damping.

Lower distortion and noise.

Comparing the XA.5 to the X.5's, we see simiilar results
subjectively, except that the mid and top is smoother.

Objectively, the distortion is lower.

Thanks Teajay...I am now fully relaxed thank you...not sure what me asking a question has to do with being relaxed though. Thanks again.

thanks tabl10s. I definitely want to check out th new XA.5 series and compare it to my xa160.