Pass Labs XA- ".5" ???

Audphile 1, I had helped my friend put together his system so each piece, CDP, preamp, speakers, and all wiring I'm very intimate with regarding their sonic signature, and the XA.5 amp in his system sounded no different then my XA-100's as far as I could tell.

Teajay, that's all I needed to know. Thanks.

I replaced my XA100 with XA100.5 a month ago, and find them to be better amplifiers. They have much more control in the bass, are more detailed, and more dynamic. They are still very easy to listen to, but have more "jump" effect when needed. My speakers are Kharma Exquisite Mini MK2. I still think that the XA series are some of the best I have heard, but the XA.5 are superior amplifiers.

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?

Tboooe, I mostly felt I could use some more control in the bass, and a more dynamic sounding amp. I think the "jump" has to do with the more dynamic sound, but they proberbly have much more power, even in a 8 ohms impedance. I do not think I listen to music very loud. If possibly I think you should try a pair of the new XA.5 amps, I am sure you will find them even better and more powerfull, than your superb sounding XA160's.