Pass Labs XA60.5 with Confidence C1

For near field listening in an average size room at less than paint peeling SPL, the XA30.5 will do fine.

Dealer disclaimer

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
Dynguy

Rick, as I've said the 60.5 should be more than enough power and headroom for the C1, otherwise you are overloading them. Best is to bring it in for an audition and compare them to your Sim amp.

....... but the combination of the c1 tweeter and the razor sharp resolution of the pass might be tipped too hot.
Dpac996

Good observation, but many considered the C1s to be boring and volume needs to be cranked up to sound good. This is where the XA.5 series paired with good front end and sources would be a favorable match to bring out the best of the C1's capabilities. It woudn't be too hot, IME.

Vinw- what higher power amplifiers have you tried?

Because all of my use with C1s directly contradicts your statements. 30 watts won't do it. I blew through 200 watts on a McIntosh. I had a 100 watt digital amp that got smoked by the C1s. I had 300 watts into 4 ohms on my BAT which seemed to do the trick. However, the best amp i had on them was a Pass X250.5 which is much more powerful---and had control/speed/clarity in spades.
I think a lot of folks under drive their speakers---or only listen to acoustic music in small rooms.

I also think this speaker is weak at low level listening, but that's another topic for another day.
Keithr

Keith, I've tried Pass X150.5, 250.5, and 350.5, Krell 2250,
FPB 200, Sim W5, Mc 402, ASL Hurricane ....to name a few.
Your room must be very large to have tripped the 200W Mac amp. A good 30 W class A to start with is enough for a small to average room. Mine is 21'X 17' enclosed room with a few sound panels. Even at high listening level, the 30.5 bias meter stays still.

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

Vinw- what higher power amplifiers have you tried?

Because all of my use with C1s directly contradicts your statements. 30 watts won't do it. I blew through 200 watts on a McIntosh. I had a 100 watt digital amp that got smoked by the C1s. I had 300 watts into 4 ohms on my BAT which seemed to do the trick. However, the best amp i had on them was a Pass X250.5 which is much more powerful---and had control/speed/clarity in spades.

I think a lot of folks under drive their speakers---or only listen to acoustic music in small rooms.

I also think this speaker is weak at low level listening, but that's another topic for another day.

Do you think I would be okay with this match?

Pass with 60 class A and the Dynaudio C1's 85dB 4ohm.

I know the XA100.5 would be the best bet but at this time it is a pretty good step up in cost diff.

I am not in my permanent home yet and in transition but I know it will not be an overly large room (California prices) and I do not listen at insane levels. This is for a combined stereo/ht rig and I am currently using a Simaudio Titan for all five channels.
Dynguy

I drive my C1s with XA30.5, power and control IMO is not an issue. Opinions about the C1s that need a lot of power and not a good speaker for low level listening is no longer true. The XA.5 series paired with good front end sources are great in low level retrieval, detailed yet smooth, live sounding and fast. If you want more headroom and if space and heat are not a problem, then the 60.5 will be the best choice. The 100.5 is nice but the size, weight, heat and electricity is another thing.
Good luck!

Same policy with other Pass Labs dealers. You really need to CALL PASS LABS and get the nearest dealer so you are not paying shipping fees from NEVADA for your demo.

Reno Hi Fi no longer charges a restocking fee. If you try an amp (or monoblock amps) and aren't thrilled with the performance in your system, all you'll pay is actual round-trip shipping-- that's all.

I thought you'd like to know the good news. We work very hard to keep our cleints happy and to do things better and better.

Thanks, Mark@RenoHiFi.com

Ok - my last comment. I understand regarding with wanting to stay with Solid State. My favorite electronics is the Burmester separates but way out of my budget. Currently I'm running the EL34's in my V70 and as long as the Rel is on it's my favorite tube combo. From what I've read the EL34 has 30% less power which in theory should put me at 49.5 watts. So the XA60.5 of class A power should be real good. The Octave also has HT pass through.
I'm done preaching Octave
Sorry for the late reply but the snow here in the Chicago area is coming down faster than the snow blower can get rid of it (or blow it back in my face)

My speakers are 87dB and 4ohm and my old XA100.5 were not ideal so I traded them for the XA160.5 through RENO HIFI. The extra power made a big difference. My room is small (16 X 15 X 7.5) and I don't listen too loudly, but I find the added power gave an effortlessness to the sound. It just sounds more real now. But going up the line is expensive. Look for a used pair.

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....

Mr SoftDome/Dynguy
I too would love to hear the Pass XA60.5 with the C1's but have no dealer in my area.

That being said I still think you should demo the Octave V70SE with either the SED 6550's or Gold Lion KT88 re-issues.
OctaDyn_Dude
ps If you have a local Pass dealer why not bring your C1's there? Then you'll know if it has the power you would be happy with.