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Pass Labs Amps - Does the heat bother you?

I am very intrigued by pass amplifiers (NOT the intergateds). I have heard many good things about them. However, I also have heard from many people that they get really hot. I am interested in the stereo amps.... like the X350. 

Curious, if you own one or used to own one... how do/did you deal with the heat? I wouldn’t want it heating up my living room where the AC runs more (which kills my music enjoyment session). 

Also, I usually leave my  amp on from 5:00 pm till I go to bed (anywhere from 9:00 pm to 12 am). Not sure how that would come into play if a pass labs would be a good fit for me. 

 

dman777
jjss49's avatar
jjss49
6,920 posts
 

yes 

charles007100
236 posts
 

I have the Pass Labs XA-25 that doesn’t really get hot maybe a tad over warm but my speakers take nothing to drive the Volti Audio Lucera and also have the First Watt SIT-4 that gets pretty hot, the heat sinks get around 135 degrees F…but sure sounds sweet…

easystreamer
119 posts
 

I had the XA30.8 and the First Watt J2 which are class A and ran super hot by design, whether playing music or not. Loved the sound of both but being in Southern Cal, they were too hot for my liking year round.

My way of dealing with it was to sell them. Seemed silly to crank the A/C just to listen to music.

 

johnto
1,120 posts
 

I have a 250.8 it has some heat within a few inches but none felt within the room.( i was hoping for some heat in our cold New England winters but not to be had.)

dishman442's avatar
dishman442
81 posts
 

Pass labs A/B amps (newer generation) are biased to stay in class A for a while before turning to A/B. My 260.8 monos never get out of class A into my admittedly efficient Wilson Sasha DAW speakers. The amps are always on and never get above warm to the touch. This is a nothing burger subject IMHO

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