Pass amps: newer xa30.8 or older xa60.5 ?

Kent's advice has always been right on the money in my experience. I would be curious about his impressions, although your previous conversation suggests he may recommend the higher powered option.

Can we stop the shameless plugs for Reno in every single Pass thread? Really?

There is more than one Pass dealer in the USA.

Yeah I agree that does get tiresome. For the record I mentioned Kent who is works at Pass factory, not Reno. It was the other guy who brought up Reno.
Acurus see my question posed to you above. Thanks for your feedback.

I agree, Acurus. My dealings with Reno were not too good. I never ordered or demoed any equipment from them, but at first they (Mark) quoted me discounts off of retail that were good on new equipment. Later on he quotes me retail price, and he got nasty with me because I wasn't ready to buy right then and there. I only called a few times. Suffice it to say, he will not be getting my business because he lost his cool and tried high pressure sales tactics with me. I know a dealer in California that Pass Labs thinks highly of that doesn't act like that plus gives you a good price. I don't think I'm buying Pass Labs at the moment (I'm going with Accuphase amps right now) but if I change my mind he'll be getting my business as there's no Pass Labs dealer in my town.

Dave_72, Well I don't see anything in what you described at Reno being a red flag per se. Sometimes discount quotes are only good for a certain limited time as a way to close a deal. They aren't necessarily good for a long time, as inventory and replacement costs change. Getting "nasty" with and high pressure approach is something different however. Somehow I can't picture that guy Mark getting like that. I've dealt with him a few times and didn't experience anything like that. They can be kind "slick" there sometimes.