Pass Labs xa - .5 amps

the XA60.5 can certainly run enough full-size speakers, along with previously mentioned perks. As to the XA30.5, you must do your own homework, and especially don't just listen to anybody.
Spatine (Threads | Answers)

I absolutely agree with Spatine. Fortunately, there are ways to hear the XA-30.5 in one's system before committing to the purchase, and if nothing else, the XA-30.5 provides the opportunity to hear how the XA-.5 line sounds. If you like the XA-30.5 at "normal" volumes (and it should do well enough on most speakers and in most rooms at normal volumes to give one a good sense of the XA-.5 sound), then you can decide to buy a more powerful version of the XA-.5 line if you want more volume and headroom. IMO, the XA-60.5 sounds essentially the same as the XA-30.5, and I would assume the same applies for the XA-100.5

Mozvz, I responded earlier when you asked about the CJ ACT 2s synergy with the Pass. In a word, wonderful.

With the 100.5's on the Maggies now, I moved the 30.5 into my home office as an experiment. I've had the Cain and Cain Super Abbys in there for several years now and always got the best out of them with tube amps, especially SET's. The Abbys are a single driver/no crossover/fostex kind of speaker. Solid state made them sound hard and actually lose bass. Pass Labs and Mark at Renohifi both thought the 30.5 would pair nicely. I didn't think so. I was wrong. I'm listening to them now as I type. In three words: beautiful, relaxed and detailed. The XA30.5 is really a sweet amp.

Based on what you've said so far, I think you would be very happy with it.

Couple of technical points:

When switched on, it draws a little less than 200 watts from the wall. It does not heat up my office.

In standby, it draws just a few.
Standby generates no heat but keeps the caps charged so warm up is much faster.

Your CJ has a 12v trigger that can be wired to the Pass's trigger. Turning the CJ on turns the Pass on with no thumps or pops, always a concern with tube preamps.

Let us know what you decide. Good luck.

FWIW, Pass recommends balanced connections with their gear, c-j has never offered balanced connections.

I've run balanced and single ended into my XA-60.5 from the same preamp, and I've noticed minimal difference.

Mozvz, I responded earlier when you asked about the CJ ACT 2s synergy with the Pass. In a word, wonderful.

With the 100.5's on the Maggies now, I moved the 30.5 into my home office as an experiment. I've had the Cain and Cain Super Abbys in there for several years now and always got the best out of them with tube amps, especially SET's. The Abbys are a single driver/no crossover/fostex kind of speaker. Solid state made them sound hard and actually lose bass. Pass Labs and Mark at Renohifi both thought the 30.5 would pair nicely. I didn't think so. I was wrong. I'm listening to them now as I type. In three words: beautiful, relaxed and detailed. The XA30.5 is really a sweet amp.

Based on what you've said so far, I think you would be very happy with it.

Onemug,

Thank you for the updated information. I am still sifting through the choices with different scenarios in an equipment change/s.

It's also good to know the single ended connections are not any different then the balanced if I keep my CJ Act 2. Thanks Tvad..