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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
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

cfarrow's avatar
cfarrow
127 posts
 

If I am reading the responses correctly you’re each saying that the amplifiers get hot enough to change the room temperature?  I have owned tube amps, pass amps and first watt amps and I have never felt the need to crank the A/C down to adjust for heat from amplifiers. I guess if I was listening a foot from the amplifiers I could feel some heat but really working up a sweat listening to music sounds extreme…

zx10
142 posts
 

Can't imagine leaving amplifier on all the time so as to wear it sooner. Why?

mike_in_nc
1,250 posts
 

I tried a Pass X250.8 and liked the sound. However, that model emits 400W at idle, which, it happens, is the same as the space-heater I use on the coldest days. After setting the amp up and listening for a few hours in the summer, I was hot. Very hot. I had to send it back.

Nelson Pass lives in Sea Ranch, where it is cool and foggy most of the time. Does that influence his attitude towards heat emissions of his amps? I suspect that if he lived in Alabama, he might design amps with different energy characteristics.smiley

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