Pass Labs xa - .5 amps

Spatine,

Thank you for the detailed and informative analysis of the Pass XA 60.5. Posts such as you write are extremely helpful for someone like me. As Tvad has stated, the best case scenario is to bring these amps into your home and audition them to experience their synergy with your room and equipment. Unfortunately unless we are blessed with a local, extremely accommodating dealer, or have the luxury of large funds, many times it's reading posts such as yours that can provide some clarity in a decision making process.

Thanks again!!

Unfortunately unless we are blessed with a local, extremely accommodating dealer, or have the luxury of large funds...
Mozvz (Answers)

First, let's assume since you mentioned you are considering purchasing an XA-30.5 that funds are not an issue.

Second, contact Reno HiFi and see what you can work out regarding an audition.

If you choose to buy a brand new pair of XA60.5, it will set you back around $11K. To be fair I must preface that my earlier comment implies proper caliber for the remain equipment right down to cables and connectors. I should also said that the surprising factor, in my case, is actually the vibration/isolation platforms. It's like getting an upgrade on your equipment if you choose the right platform. It's comical that the platform I used under my power conditioner costs twice as much as the power conditioner itself. Yet that's the add-on that makes the most difference. Just about everything would have to be "right" to avoid wasting money on buying the XA60.5 or any amplifier with this level of performance.

Tvad,
Funds are always an issue in my case. I consider the Pass product line because I have another piece of equipment that I can trade or sell to use as some of the funds for the purchase. Thank you for the tip on Reno HiFi

Spatine,
You are correct about the price of the 60.5's and yes, they are costly no doubt. I understand your comment about proper equipment, cables and isolation devices and wasting money on an amp that does not fit into the entire synergy of the complete system. Getting everything right is part of the process no doubt.

Mozvz,
I second Tvad's suggestion to contact Reno HIFI. If you do not have a local dealer to audition the amps directly, Mark at Reno is an excellent option. His prices are fair and he allows in-home auditions for 30 days. He is very pleasant to deal with, but he is not local.

RmRobinson,
Sorry I did'nt see the second part of your original post. As far as speaker cables are concerned, Pass recommends short lengths and thick cables with their amps. I use Harmonic Technology Pro 9 plus cables 1.5 meters long as recommended by my dealer, and they work great with my XA100.5s. With monoblocks you can use shorter cables by placing the amps just behind the speakers, but my dealer recommended nothing shorter than 4-5 feet. Hope that helps.
Peter