Pass Labs:What to expect fm XA60.5 to XA100.5

I am only taking the listening volume from the volume level shown on my Bel Canto DAC acting as pre amp.

Elmerpoh (Threads | Answers | This Thread)

I don't believe that's measuring decibels.

Take some measurements with a decibel meter and report back. You'll receive significantly better advice when we know how loudly you actually listen.

Please also try to measure the decibel level at a distance of 1 meter from your left or right speaker during high volume peaks.

Elmerpoh,

Given your 91dB and 4 ohm min impedance and the fact that you listen fairly close to your speakers, I would think that the XA100.5 would be plenty of power and the X350.5 might be overkill without as much Class A magic.

I would enjoy the XA60.5 until your dealer gets the new amps in. Then, just audition each one in your own system and decide which you like better. I think it will be the XA100.5 over the X350.5. Remember, they need to be on for a few hundred hours to break in, at least mine did. Then, just enjoy the pure, glorious sound.

Elmerpoh, disregard the suggestion to measure your listening volume with a decibel meter. It will be an exercise for no reason. It's fairly easy to discern that you intend to purchase XA-100.5 amplifiers whether or not you really need them to drive your speakers sufficiently.

This past time is as much about buying the most one can afford than it is about buying anything based on actual need.

Tvad,

Could you please elaborate on your last post? You seem to suggest that all one needs to do is calculate SPL in a room and match the amp to speakers on paper and all will be fine.

The XA100.5 looks as though it has plenty of power to drive my Mini II's. Dealers even said as much. I have a small room and don't listen too loudly. The bias needle moved only slightly and not too often. However, switching to the bigger XA160.5 gave me better sound. I still have the same sized room, don't listen any louder, the needle almost never moves now, but dynamics, scale, staging and control of the lower frequencies are all better. The music is more involving and enjoyable.

Sure it costs more, uses more electricity and generates more heat, but the results are well worth the upgrade cost to me.

Now, the sonic signature of the X.5 is surely different from that of the XA.5 and the OP should hear the difference before committing.

"I was always told all speakers like wattages, the higher the better."

I do think all speakers need enough watts to perform well, the quantity varies with the speaker, room, music, and loudenss preferences. I also know folks like VTL will suggest you need 1,000 watts to really allow speakers to blossom. That being said, I think there is always (almost always?)a loss in quality as watts go up for a specific circuit design, but that can be a fair tradeoff if your speakers need the power, and some speakers do need alot of power, or more importantly current to drive low and dipping impedances. I think that on speakers like mine (Merlin VSM)the XA30.5 (which I did own)will sound better than the XA100.5. But I have know doubt the XA100.5 will sound alot better driving Thiel or B&Ws - they need the power and the current. So the question isn't really which is the better amp, but which is the best amp/speaker combo, and I'm not sure why the XA100 would drive your speakers any better than the XA60s (but they might).