Sonus Faber Stradivari amp: X600.5 or X1000.5 ?

The Strads are very sensitive, 92 db.+ and there is therefore no reason to use a high-powered amp with them, unless you listen at extremely loud sound pressure levels, in which event it makes no sense to use Strads (while they go plenty loud, they are primarily a finesse speaker).

It never ceases to amaze me how many people do not know that the vast majority of HIGH-POWERED AMPS SOUND MEDIOCRE. Big amps almost always use global feedback in order to control the circuit, which takes the life and dimensionality out of the music, and they also use dozens of output devices (i.e., lots of transistors or tubes) to achieve high power, which kills transparency and finesse.

More and more solid-state amp makers, from darTZeel, Ayre, the new Rowland, to Sim, as well as Pass (and many, many tube amp makers), no longer use global feedback in their curcuits. If you have really inefficient speakers or listen in a huge room, and you listen loud, then use a big Krell, etc. (even better, sell your inefficient speakers), but if you want your system to make recordings sound much more like real instruments, stay away from big amps and amps that use global feedback. You'll notice that the previous poster is recommending the 160 watt, Class A-biased Pass - not the 350, the 600 or the 1000.

A gentleman I know is using the CJ ART amplifiers with the Strads, and the sound is absolutely amazing! These are the finest tube amplifiers I have ever heard, the CJ amplifiers were able to play quite loudly in his room 30 feet long 20 wide 8 foot ceiling.

The new CJ ART amplifiers are remarkably transparent without any tube bloat and a rich midrange, and stunning dynamics.

If you are in his area, Long Island NY I am sure he would allow you to hear his system.

I agree with Thesoundhouse. If you are set on Pass, I would go with the XA series. I too have the X350.5 and I have the Pass-addiction as well.. My friend had a pair of Amatis and he had been wanting to try the X350.5, but we weren't too keen to hoist the beast over to his house before he moved overseas.

My impression of the Amati in his system (with Einstein preamp + BAT VK-75SE monos) was on the sweet side. So I am not sure Pass would be a good fit. But with a more analytical/neutral preamp like the ARC Ref 3, it should balance out.

My only real experience with the Strads was in a Magnolia Hi-Fi in Seattle where it was driven by all McIntosh stuff, and it didn't sound too good with that combo in that room.

FrankC

Ok i understand. But sometimes i really listen to extreme loud levels and thats why i was looking for a high power amp. Also i know that the first 100W on X600.5 are class A. Is that right ? And yes Frank, mcintosh stuff dosent sound to good with Strad. After i listened to X350.5 in my system i couldnt even change it back to my MC501. Is XA160.5 able to deliver extreme loud levels ? My room is like 35-40 square metters.
Thanks

I agree with Raquel for the most part , some bigger amps loose finesse ect , but some mid efficient speakers come to life with lots of power , not so much watts as current . You said you listened to the X350 in your system , it's twice the watts of the XA160 , that should give you an idea if the XA160 will be sufficient in your situation . There is an XA200 if you really want to get serious . Don't forget to take into account the heat that all these babies give off .