Have you auditioned Pass Labs' XA30.8 yet Pani?
f1a, I finally did get to listen to the x30.8 in my system. It is a very clean and controlled sound with very good dynamics. It does not sound like a 30 watter at all, in fact it sounds more like a 120 watt amp. Soundstage is typically American, deep and wide. Noise floor is very low. Overall a very balanced sound but! 2 things that disappointed me enough not to buy them:
1. It is tonally a bit dark. It is not studio neutral in tone and timbre so voices and strings have a bit of that dark chocolate flavor.
2. It is not quick. The tempo or pace (whatever you call it) is a bit slow.
I heard similar things with xa.5 amps and it was even darker and slower. So in that respect the xa.8 has improved.

