Pass Labs XA60.5 with Confidence C1

Yeah I know about the Octave and I am sure it is an awesome integrated BUT this is a stereo/ht combo and I am just not sure about combining tube amps and ss amps in a ht world. I am sure it would be a hit in stereo but I just don't know when I switch over to a blu-ray concert or movie and use the tubes for r/l and ss for center/rears.

I think I might feel more comfortable with a move up in SS for l/c/r and a little stereo amp hidden away in the cabinet for the rears. The 60.5's are $5k less(pair) than the 100.5 (local used verses demo) That is good pocket change but if not able to properly power the C1s then not worth it....

Keithr-exactly.

This is why I visit this forum and I appreciate all the feedback...

I LOVE my C1s and there may be many better speakers out there but I guess as I dig deeper into my crazed mind (-: and what I am looking for is the fact that I don't always listen to the C1s at concert levels. Sometimes I want a nice comfortable listening level as I may be working from home to pay for this stuff and I want a little lower listening level so I can focus on some work.

I know that the Dyns in general sound much better pumped up in volume but sometimes I want to chill and not have to do this...

I love these speakers too much to let them go and with the Confidence Center we are talking some good stuff here for a stereo/ht set-up. My current multi-channel Simaudio Titan is no pussy at 200 into 8 and 400 into 4 and first 5 class A and sounds pretty damn good and maybe I am tripping on this amp upgrade but I would like a little more detail at low listening levels and I want dang near orgasim at fun listening levels for both stereo and blu-ray concerts. Thing is I want even more and I do believe I am cheating my C1s in sound quality although my ears have become used to what I am hearing and cranked up is quite impressive for a five channel.

I really want to weigh my options here but I refuse to under-power but I also believe that there is nothing gained from complete over-kill and may actually take away from the sound quality of the entire "package".

There are many directions I can go and if I need to step up to $12k for Pass XA100.5 demo there are a few other amps I would check out to be sure...and gasp that includes Krell Evolution.

Now XA60.5 for the price, looks good but once again, not at the sake of underpower...

And no, I don't listen to Kenny G in a small room but I do enjoy Coldplay to Sarah K in a less than huge room (-:

Thanks all-

It is reckoning time soon...

Rick