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Pass Labs XA30.5 in my system?

Dear Audiophiles!

I am looking for a solid-state class A power amplifier with balanced circuit topology to replace Acurus in my modest Hi-Fi setup:
 
Mac mini (USB3 output) ->
Singxer SU-1 ->
Yggdrasil DAC (AES/EBU XLR input) ->
Primare PRE30 preamplifier (AES/EBU XLR input) ->
Acurus A250 power amplifier (RCA input) ->
Monitor Audio RS-6
 
I am currently considering Pass Labs XA30.5 and am wondering if it will “work nicely” with my upstream and downstream components.

Any info/advice is very much appreciated. Please chime in!

Please see the specs below for your consideration.

Pass Labs XA30.5

Type: Solid-state stereo amplifier
Power Output: 30 wpc into 8 Ohm, 60 wpc into 4 Ohm (both 14.8dbW)
Power Consumption (Watts): 238
Temperature (deg C.): 53
Voltage Gain: 26 dB
Input Sensitivity: 0.77 V at 26db gain
Frequency Response: 1.5Hz–100kHz, –3db at 1.5Hz, –2db at 100kHz
Signal/noise: 150db at full power (I cannot believe this is not a misprint!)
Distortion: 0.01% at 3 watts, 0.1% at 30 watts (measured at 1 kHz)
Input Impedance: 30 kOhm balanced, 15 kOhm unbalanced
Damping Factor: 150 for an 8 Ohm nominal load
Maximum Output Current: 20 Ampere
Maximum Output Voltage: ±35 Volts
Output Noise: 150 microvolt unweighted 20 Hz - 20 kHz
DC Offset: <50 mV
Slew rate: ±50 V/µs
Dimensions: 19" (485mm) W by 7" (180mm) H by 19" (485mm) D
Weight: 62 lbs (28kg)
Shipping weight: 75 lbs (34kg)

Primare PRE30 Preamplifier

Balanced inputs          560mV
Line inputs                   280mV
Sensitivity adjustment    -20dB to +20dB
Tape outputs               280mV
Gain                            16dB
Frequency response    DC to 100kHz ± 0.1dB
THD                             <0.01%
Signal-to-noise ratio    -118dB
Crosstalk                      -113dB
Mains                            100/115/230V
Dimensions (WxDxH)    430 x 410 x 100mm
Weight                           9.5kg

Monitor Audio RS6

Frequency Response: 38 Hz - 30 KHz
Sensitivity (1W@1M):   91 dB
Nominal Impedance:     6 Ohms
Power Handling (RMS): 120 W
Recommended Amplifier Requirements (RMS): 40 - 120 W
Tweeter Crossover Frequency: 3 KHz
Drive Unit Compliment: 1 x 6” C-CAM® Bass, 1 x 6” C-CAM® Bass Mid-range. 1 x 1” gold dome C-CAM® tweeter.
Cabinet Design: Balanced velocity twin reflex ported
Product External Dimensions: (H x W x D) 850 x 185 x 250 mm
Plinth Dimensions: (H x W x D): 25 x 255 x 305 mm
Individual Weight: 18 Kg

N.B. Impedance varies with frequency and goes to as low as 4 Ohms and as high as 16 Ohms. And, most importantly,“real” sensitivity is much lower than “nominal”: 87.40dB (averaged 300Hz-3kHz, 2.83V/1m)!
Measurements taken in the anechoic chamber at Canada's National Research Council can be found through this link:
http://www.soundstagenetwork.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1221:nrc-measu...

hardball
hardball OP
9 posts
 
Thank you very kindly Karl!

It is VERY important for me to learn from a Guru my components are compatible with XA30.5. Quite frankly, I was a bit worried my speakers with their "real” sensitivity of only 87.40 dB, 1 meter/2.83 volt input (averaged over 300Hz-3kHz band) are not a good match...

Could you please comment on how hot the XA30.5 gets during prolonged listening sessions? Would you recommend using external forced air cooling (desk fan, e.g.)? My "cave" is only about 14x14x9 and I am concerned about it being overheated... I know, I know it is a silly one, but please give me some pointers here!

4hannons's avatar
4hannons
166 posts
 
I had the RS-6 a few years ago, very nice speaker. I used a McCormack DNA-1 which sounded good. My local dealer had the RS-6 hooked up to the Ayon Titan and wow the sound was amazing, the speaker came alive. You'd probably be thrilled with the XA, but if you ever want to try tubes they seem to work well with that speaker. My $.02
steakster
720 posts
 
Asking about heat is an excellent question.  It's not so much the amp, but the room that needs cooling - for your personal comfort.  A small room such as yours with a 9ft ceiling will warm up pretty quickly.  (Have a T shirt and shorts on standby.)   If you run your system frequently, expect your electric bills to climb upwards of $15-25/mo - not counting air conditioning.  This is equivalent to a monthly subscription to Tidal.com.

I have two Class A amps - ss and tubes.   In the summer, air conditioning is mandatory.  Fortunately, my AC is fairly quiet - but it does create a constant white noise that can be distracting.  It's not uncommon for people to buy a 2nd amp that runs cooler for just the summer months.  OTOH, a Class A amp is a great space heater in the winter.

Where you live - what kind of climate - what kind of ventilation in the listening room - are all factors in dealing with a true Class A amp.   There are many high quality Class A/B amps that don't generate as much heat.   They put out Class A for the first several watts - which is fine for most listening.
timlub
1,649 posts
 
This amp is a bit deceiving... it is called a 30 watt Pure Class A amplifier... It is not,  It is a sliding bias Class A,  but it does put out a Full 30+ watts of Class A before switching to A/B..... I'm sure the spec is published somewhere, but I recall that it will do 100 to 120 watts before going into clipping... Someone out there is sure to know that spec... Either way,  the point is that this amp should have zero issues driving your Monitor Audio. 
I've always thought of a Pure Class A amp as an amp that won't fall out of Class A... Like the old Sumo Nine,  it ran 60 watts of Class A,  never switched to A/B...    Of course, you could fry an egg on it while it was in Idle. 
hardball OP
9 posts
 
Thank you all very kindly!

I can only dream of Ayon Titan... @4hannons, would you agree XA30.5 (much less powerful...) is also capable of driving RS-6 nicely?

@steakster, do I understand you correctly there is no need in external forced air cooling (desk fan, e.g.) for XA30.5?

You also noted "There are many high quality Class A/B amps that don't generate as much heat.   They put out Class A for the first several watts - which is fine for most listening." Could you please give me a few examples of such balanced (end-to-end) power amps?

@timlub, could you please explain what you mean by "sliding bias Class A" in case of XA30.5? I think I have seen in one your posts the headroom of XA30.5 is 4dB. Could you please confirm if this is correct?

I believe we have a consensus XA30.5 will drive RS-6 comfortably. Are you guys in agreement PRE30 will also "work nicely" with XA30.5?

What balanced interconnects would you recommend for my setup, please?

Do you believe the stock power cable is adequate?

My budget is rather tight, hence all the bugging... Sorry guys and thank you!

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