Pass xa600.5, Marantz 9S2 or Mcintosh MC501/MC601?

I don't know which will sound better to you and the only one who will ever know is you. Nonetheless I think the Pass has a great reputation in audiophileville. Not that McIntosh has a bad reputation.

I don't know about the Marantz but as for the Pass Labs versus the McIntosh it's no contest, the pass labs is far superior for me. The pass X600.5 is in a very top class like Vitus or FM acoustics and I think it's the best Pass Labs best amp IMHO.

Rob

I have not heard the Tylers, but I did compare the 501s with the Marantz MA9S with Thiel 3.7s and ended up choosing the Marantz amps. The 501s were very nice but seemed to not be as extended in the high frequencies as the Marantz. The 501s sounded more tube like, as least in comparison to the Marantz. The Marantz do not exhibit any of the typical warm house sound (OK maybe just a hint of it)of that brand, but instead have a clarity and lack of coloration I really like. They also seem to have unlimited power and nice dynamics. Hope this helps.

Pass Labs. A very transparent amp.

I've compared an XA-30.5 to a McIntosh MC402 on Thiel 2.4s and the Pass beat it in every category, except bass control. I didn't get a chance to do a head to head, but I've also tried out an X250.5 and it was close enough to the XA-30.5 that I'm sure it would also handily best the McIntosh (while also addressing the bass issue). To be honest, I was shocked at the extent to which Pass beat the McIntosh.