Pass XA30.5 enough power for Wilson Sophia 2?

Expanding a bit on a point I mentioned earlier, the most important factor that determines how much power is required is the dynamic range of the music being listened to. Meaning the difference in volume between the loudest notes and the softest notes. Or perhaps more relevantly for some music, the difference in volume between the loudest notes and the average note.

It seems clear, based on several comments that have been made and on my calculations, that the amp should have no problem playing highly compressed, narrow dynamic range material, such as most rock recordings, at levels approaching 95db at the listening position. I doubt that any of us would want to listen that loud.

However, a symphonic work having wide dynamic range, if well recorded and minimally compressed, and if played with an average volume of say 70 to 75db, can be expected to at least occasionally have brief musical peaks that exceed the 100db maximum spl at the listening position that the amp/speaker combination is capable of.

Best regards,
-- Al

While the XA30.5 may convey a loud enough sound with your speakers, I would be apprehensive if you listen to complex music and if your room is large. Power and class A gives a sense of effortlessness, unrestrictedness, and control. Sure, the XA30.5 has some class AB headroom, but the amp is really about the class A portion up-front.

My opinion is the XA60.5 at a minimum, but the 100.5 or 160.5 may be even more appropriate. The Wilson/Pass combination is not uncommon, so you may call some dealers and check-out the systems page.

i agree wtih Rtn1---the whole point of this amp is Class A 30 watts. the A/B headroom is pointless imo

Why is the A/B headroom pointless if it keeps you from clipping in this small moments where you need the headroom? 99% of the time you'll be using 2-4 watts (Class A), no?

Pubul57 raises a good question. The XA30.5 is specified to "leave Class A at 60 peak watts." I'm not sure how that should be interpreted, as to whether the 60W is peak, rather than the usual rms definition, and as to whether or not that number applies to a 4 ohm load.

But if we make a very worst case assumption that it leaves Class A at 30 watts into 4 ohms, that is 8db less than 195W. Which means per my previous calculations that the amp would be operating Class A up to an spl of 92db at the listening position, which is quite loud.

-- Al