PASS XA 200 or 160?

I sounded flippant. Sorry about that. The XAs must be very attractive to Aleph owners. My experience is with the X amps. I am currently using the X600 on brutal speakers. The 600 runs class A to about 200 watts. Because of that, I have a pretty good idea what the XA would sound like. After all, the XA is a highly biased X. Compared to the lower powered X150, one that crosses to AB at 15 watts, the 600 was smoother, had greater depth, and more body.

I am sure your Aleph experience left you with a need for class A performance, while you express a desire for upgrading to newer electronics. The advantage of the Supersymmetry X electronics over the Aleph, is a purer signal, plus greater dynamics.

The X350 is biased to about 100 watts class A. Used, they can be found between 4 and 5 k. The 600 blocks can be found between 7 and 8k. Used XAs will be almost impossible to snag.

Good luck!

I am slightly biased b/c I am a huge Pass fan, but I would say that the XA amps could represent one of the best designs to date. Rich, smooth, open, yet very dynamic and impactful.

I recently bought a pair of Pass XA 160.8 to replace a Moon 860aV2 

The seller was in CA and thr only choice for Escrow  is Escrow.com    Other tjam they are SLOW it provides safety. 

I’m very happy with the purchase.   So sweet!   The XA160.8 for me is the best sounding amp I’ve ever heard.  They are warm and very accurate.  I tend to like warm and sweet.   So much power doubt many are going to need more. 
320 watts @4 ohm 

Speakers: Sonus Faber Il Cremonese Ex3me

Amplification: Pass Labs XA160.8 monoblocks (Class A, 160 W / 8 Ω)

Preamp / DAC / Streamer: MOON 891 (MiND2 streaming module, HT bypass enabled)

Subwoofers: Dual REL 212/SX – high-level inputs from Pass Labs, independently tuned

Cabling: Straight Wire Serenade 3 interconnects & speaker cables

 

The X350 is biased to about 100 watts class A. ---> Not true.

• X350.5 (Class-AB) is “heavily biased” but only ~20W continuous Class-A (≈40W peak), then transitions to AB. 

• X350.8 (Class-AB) leaves Class-A at ~18W peak (≈9W continuous).