Pass Labs XA- ".5" ???

Gandme, perhaps I'm mistaken, but, I suspect a bit of sarcasim in your posts. Lest anyone think I have a bias against Pass, let me say that I think the Pass X 1000's may be the best amps I've ever heard and I currently use a Pass designed Threshold.
In answer to your post, I suspect that customers of the entire current Thiel line might get more bang for their buck with Pass' X series amps than with the current XA series amps. Furthermore, I suspect these future XA.5's might just become the ideal amps for these speakers, especially if they offer even greater power.

Personally I never thought the XA's weren't such a good idea. At those prices, I believe the amps should be able to handle a much wider selection of speakers. I suspect that a great many people who buy speakers that don't drop below 8 Ohms, have a strong preference for tube amps and wouldn't even consider ss alternatives. Even Pass' older top of the line class A Threshold amps had no problem with low impedance speakes. If the XA.5's can really double down and maintain their sonic qualites, I bet they'll have a truly special winner. Perhaps they can do away with the meters to keep the prices down a bit.

Gandme, I think you'd have be very specific as to what the criterion for "handle" is.

I suspect that there will be a considerable price difference between a similarly powered X.5 and an XA.5. With the availability of an XA.5 individuals may now be able to choose between the better sound of pure class A or the compromised sound of class AB based on price alone. Previously spending more for the advantages of pure class A ,may have actually limited ones choice of loudspeakers. From a marketing perspective, I would have guessed the opposite would have made more sense. If appropriate attention is paid to providing appropiate lines of appropraite power levels, I believe, that the market place will welcome both a value offered class AB line and a top of the line, no holds barred, cost be damned, class A line. That the top tier may be as accomodating as the lower tier already is, can only help the sales of the top tier to those who can afford it and are willing to pay for it. For those that can't or won't the lower tier will still be available. I can even imagine situations where, some individuals might opt to power the two main channels of a HT system with XA.5 amplification and use X.5's for the surrounds, or bi-amp with XA.5s on top and X.5's on the bottom and still have the same gain.

Not exactly an impulse purchase here in the US either.