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Pass Labs XA60.5 with Confidence C1

Hi Folks,

Do you think I would be okay with this match?

Pass with 60 class A and the Dynaudio C1's 85dB 4ohm.

I know the XA100.5 would be the best bet but at this time it is a pretty good step up in cost diff.

I am not in my permanent home yet and in transition but I know it will not be an overly large room (California prices) and I do not listen at insane levels. This is for a combined stereo/ht rig and I am currently using a Simaudio Titan for all five channels. If this works out I would like one more down the road for center and then a small two channel amp hidden in my av cabinet.

Thanks
128x128dynguy

Showing 4 responses by vinw

vinw
67 posts
 
Do you think I would be okay with this match?

Pass with 60 class A and the Dynaudio C1's 85dB 4ohm.

I know the XA100.5 would be the best bet but at this time it is a pretty good step up in cost diff.

I am not in my permanent home yet and in transition but I know it will not be an overly large room (California prices) and I do not listen at insane levels. This is for a combined stereo/ht rig and I am currently using a Simaudio Titan for all five channels.
Dynguy

I drive my C1s with XA30.5, power and control IMO is not an issue. Opinions about the C1s that need a lot of power and not a good speaker for low level listening is no longer true. The XA.5 series paired with good front end sources are great in low level retrieval, detailed yet smooth, live sounding and fast. If you want more headroom and if space and heat are not a problem, then the 60.5 will be the best choice. The 100.5 is nice but the size, weight, heat and electricity is another thing.
Good luck!
vinw
67 posts
 
Vinw- what higher power amplifiers have you tried?

Because all of my use with C1s directly contradicts your statements. 30 watts won't do it. I blew through 200 watts on a McIntosh. I had a 100 watt digital amp that got smoked by the C1s. I had 300 watts into 4 ohms on my BAT which seemed to do the trick. However, the best amp i had on them was a Pass X250.5 which is much more powerful---and had control/speed/clarity in spades.
I think a lot of folks under drive their speakers---or only listen to acoustic music in small rooms.

I also think this speaker is weak at low level listening, but that's another topic for another day.
Keithr

Keith, I've tried Pass X150.5, 250.5, and 350.5, Krell 2250,
FPB 200, Sim W5, Mc 402, ASL Hurricane ....to name a few.
Your room must be very large to have tripped the 200W Mac amp. A good 30 W class A to start with is enough for a small to average room. Mine is 21'X 17' enclosed room with a few sound panels. Even at high listening level, the 30.5 bias meter stays still.
vinw
67 posts
 
....... but the combination of the c1 tweeter and the razor sharp resolution of the pass might be tipped too hot.
Dpac996

Good observation, but many considered the C1s to be boring and volume needs to be cranked up to sound good. This is where the XA.5 series paired with good front end and sources would be a favorable match to bring out the best of the C1's capabilities. It woudn't be too hot, IME.
vinw
67 posts
 
Now XA60.5 for the price, looks good but once again, not at the sake of underpower...

And no, I don't listen to Kenny G in a small room but I do enjoy Coldplay to Sarah K in a less than huge room (-:

Thanks all-

It is reckoning time soon...

Rick
Dynguy

Rick, as I've said the 60.5 should be more than enough power and headroom for the C1, otherwise you are overloading them. Best is to bring it in for an audition and compare them to your Sim amp.
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