Pass XA30.5, X100.5, or Rowland 501 For Revel Gem

Kenl,

I've never heard the XA30.5 in your system, but it is definitely comfortable with a 4 ohm load.

Your room size and listening habits mean you won't need much power, so yeah I'd think the XA30.5 would be ample, assuming these things don't change.

It's hard to be sure though. The 1.6's measured significantly less sensitive than their rated 86 dB when stereophile reviewed them. (83.7 dB) On the other hand, you don't need as much 1 meter sensitivity for a line source speaker as you do for a point source speaker for the same in-room listening level.

Taking all that into account, my guess is the XA30.5 would have no problem, but I wouldn't buy without hearing it in your room.

Auxetophone - Thanks for your input. When the Maggie's arrive I will contact Reno Hi-Fi and see if they have an XA-30 for home trial.

Srosenberg,

i'm looking for nice forward mids (especially vocals), fast, dynamic, lively sound - especially at lower volumes.

I've listened to the XA30.5 paired with X10 on 2 different speakers and the sound seems to be the perfect match to what your're looking for. Give it a try.

...edit above post to XP10 instead of X10.

I think you'd have the Pass XA30.5 or XA60.5 for at least twice as long as the Spectrons. Maybe even three times...

Anyway, if you are searching for your final destination, I would skip the Pass X150.5. The XA.5 sounds much better than the X.5s on their best day. If the XA.5s sound better after being on for a number of hours, I cannot tell. The X.5s do need a number of hours to stabilize, even from standby.