Pass XA30.5, X100.5, or Rowland 501 For Revel Gem

Auxetophone - This thread caught my attention since I too own a Rowland Concerto with phono and love it. I'm expecting arrival of my new Maggie 1.7's soon, and know that the Rowland will be a good match. That being said, I'm a lover of Class "A" amps, and wondered if you had an opinion on whether you think a Pass XA 30.5 would have enough current to properly drive the Maggies? My room is small (12 x 14 x 10), and I primarily listen to jazz, female vocals & Internet Radio electronic ambient at low to moderate levels. My friends think the Pass would do the trick without leaving Class A, but I thought I'd ask someone who's had real world experience with it. The Maggies present a steady 4 ohm load, so the XA30.5 would be able to provide up to 60 watts in Class A. Thanks.

Kenl,

I've never heard the XA30.5 in your system, but it is definitely comfortable with a 4 ohm load.

Your room size and listening habits mean you won't need much power, so yeah I'd think the XA30.5 would be ample, assuming these things don't change.

It's hard to be sure though. The 1.6's measured significantly less sensitive than their rated 86 dB when stereophile reviewed them. (83.7 dB) On the other hand, you don't need as much 1 meter sensitivity for a line source speaker as you do for a point source speaker for the same in-room listening level.

Taking all that into account, my guess is the XA30.5 would have no problem, but I wouldn't buy without hearing it in your room.

Auxetophone - Thanks for your input. When the Maggie's arrive I will contact Reno Hi-Fi and see if they have an XA-30 for home trial.

Srosenberg,

i'm looking for nice forward mids (especially vocals), fast, dynamic, lively sound - especially at lower volumes.

I've listened to the XA30.5 paired with X10 on 2 different speakers and the sound seems to be the perfect match to what your're looking for. Give it a try.

...edit above post to XP10 instead of X10.