Pass Labs xa - .5 amps

With the XA30.5s ability to deliver current and the sensitivity of your speakers, I would think the 30 watts would be more than enough for most listeners in most rooms. As Tvad says, it plays a lot louder and more robustly than its wattage specs would suggest (I think it is very conservatively rated). The extra 30 watts of the XA60.5 are really marginally more power in terms of loudness. And I'm firmly in the camp that less power will sound better if it is enough power to drive your speakers to the volume levels you require. I was using the XA30.5 with my 89db Merlins and power was NEVER an issue. With your speakers and 4ohm impedance, I would not expect power to be an issue for you either. Now you may hear from those that say you can never have enough power.... Ask ML what they think and ask Pass what they think. Can't speak for ML, but I've never known Pass to not offer good, honest advice, even if they prefer to sell you two amps instead of one.

Thanks for your responses. I ordered an XA-30.5 - can't wait for it to arrive. My dealer has a 6-month full credit trade in policy just to tempt me to upgrade to the XA-60.5.

Congratulations. I think you have a very, very fine piece. Some might argue the best sounding amp out of the Pass shop (assuming sufficient power of course).

Anyone compared the XA-30.5 to the Aleph 3? I had an Aleph 3 and an Aleph P many years ago and thought the combination was fantastic. I sold the Aleph 3 because I purched new speakers that required more power. Somtimes I wish I still had the Alpeh 3 and other speakers.

I imagine the xa-30.5 is a more dynamic with wider soundstage and better grip on bass. I would like to trade my aleph 3 for one but my budget will not allow it right now. I wonder how it would compare to a first watt aleph j? one thing tho I would have to agree with Pubul57 about low power amp sounds better. I listened to a friends aleph 1.2, it sounded nice & sweet but didn't seem to sound as sweet as my aleph 3. maybe it has to do with more transistor in the signal path or something, it did not sound as pure as the low powered aleph. I also listen to a pair of bk mono blocks that were 200 wpc and, if did not sound a good as my aleph 3, or the aleph 1.2. I have been wanting to listen to aleph j but don't know any near me to compare and when I read the review on 6 moons on the xa-30.5, I have been drooling over the xa-30.5