Difference between Pass Labs XA160.5 an X600.5?

Great question for Pass Labs or Reno HiFi. You should try contacting them directly.

I have the XA160.5 driving the Magico Mini 2 (4ohm, 86dB). It is a very difficult load but my 160.5 seem to be more than powerful enough. My room is only 16' X 15' X 7.5'. The needle never moves indicating that it does not leave Class A. It actually did move once, slightly, during the Sheffield Drum Track LP at full volume. I have heard the the 600.5 but not in my system. They, too, are very powerful. I think it will come down to whether or not you want to remain in Class A. I don't think either option will run out of power unless your room is huge and you listen extremely loudly.

I don't know how the subs would effect things. I would expect the soundstage information to change with the subs on, but are you sure that that fact alone indicates that you don't have enough power. You should be hearing more low level room cues with the subs which would change the perception of the soundstage.

I was at an audio club meeting at a Pass dealer this past weekend, and he offered the following: There is little difference between the Class A Pass amps and the A/B Pass amps, other than the biasing. Even the Class A amps will move to A/B mode beyond a certain point, so that their peak output capabilities are much higher than the Class A power rating would suggest. He remarked that it almost doesn't make sense to sell the A/B models unless there is a regular need for extremely high output power, like very inefficient speakers in a large room.

Bondmanp, those with more restricted budgets might argue that ...it almost doesn't make sense to sell the A models unless there is a regular need for extremely low output power, like very efficient speakers in a small room. :-)

I have owned the XA160, X600.5 and XA30.5 and ended up preferring and keeping the X600.5. The X.5 line is of course more powerful than the XA / XA.5 line, and I'm sure you know that. But there are other differences in the character of the sound which must be taken into account. The XA / XA.5 line is sweeter, darker, more relaxed and mellower sounding, whereas the X.5 line is faster, livelier and more dynamic sounding (greater PRAT). I find the XA / XA.5 best for vocals and small ensemble music (jazz, folk, classic rock, etc.) , whereas the X.5 is decidedly better for large orchestral works which is the bulk of what I listen do.

I could have very happily lived with the XA160 as well. OTOH the XA30.5 was very underpowered even when driving highly sensitive speakers for the type of music I listen to.

Bottom line is you must listen for yourself because it is very subjective.