Pettyfeversk,
I moved up from the XA100.5 to the XA160.5. The former were great amps, but when I replaced my speakers to ones having a very difficult load, I needed more current and power. The XA100.5 shifted into classAB during demanding passages. They also sounded just a bit constricted with the new speakers.
After I inserted the XA160.5, everything sounded freer. The stage opened up a bit, dynamics improved, and surprisingly, there was better low level detail and nuance. The sound was a bit more round and palpable.
I was told by Mark at RENO something like you get a bit more of everything as you move up to the bigger amps. I don't know if I would notice such a difference with more efficient speakers. I suspect the improvements I heard are because my new speakers require the bigger amps.
Your speakers are much more efficient at 91dB than mine are at 86dB. You also have a larger room than mine, so it's kind of tough to offer advice about needing the bigger amp. Have you ever seen you needles move on the meter? If you have, you may want more power. I have always preferred the largest Pass amp I've had within the series, both Aleph and XA.5.
Regarding the preamp question, I have not heard the Rowland Capri. My XP-20 works extremely well with my XA.5 amps, IMO. You could contact Mark at RENO or a local Pass dealer and ask. I would want to demo the XA100.5 against the XA60.5 and also the XP-10, or XP-20 against the Capri. There are some great deals now on Pass preamps.
I moved up from the XA100.5 to the XA160.5. The former were great amps, but when I replaced my speakers to ones having a very difficult load, I needed more current and power. The XA100.5 shifted into classAB during demanding passages. They also sounded just a bit constricted with the new speakers.
After I inserted the XA160.5, everything sounded freer. The stage opened up a bit, dynamics improved, and surprisingly, there was better low level detail and nuance. The sound was a bit more round and palpable.
I was told by Mark at RENO something like you get a bit more of everything as you move up to the bigger amps. I don't know if I would notice such a difference with more efficient speakers. I suspect the improvements I heard are because my new speakers require the bigger amps.
Your speakers are much more efficient at 91dB than mine are at 86dB. You also have a larger room than mine, so it's kind of tough to offer advice about needing the bigger amp. Have you ever seen you needles move on the meter? If you have, you may want more power. I have always preferred the largest Pass amp I've had within the series, both Aleph and XA.5.
Regarding the preamp question, I have not heard the Rowland Capri. My XP-20 works extremely well with my XA.5 amps, IMO. You could contact Mark at RENO or a local Pass dealer and ask. I would want to demo the XA100.5 against the XA60.5 and also the XP-10, or XP-20 against the Capri. There are some great deals now on Pass preamps.