Pass Labs Amps - Does the heat bother you?

As has been rightly said, go for the sound that pleases you. That's what counts, not a few degrees here or there.

As has been wrongly said, leaving solid state electronics on at all times does not shorten their lifespan. It's more complex than just a black and white answer, but all things considered it's more a good thing for them to be on at all times than the opposite.

I have a Pass Aleph 5, an older Pass class A amp and it does run hot. Pros and cons are it sounds excellent once up to operating temperature but the cons are that it takes a good hour on to sound it’s best. I’m a New England’s do in the cooler months it’s not a problem but in Summer it can get a bit toasty in my listening room . You just have to decide if the heat is worth the trouble for the sound you may love.

I would NEVER buy or keep an amp that required an hour to sound ’best’. 

Maybe OP should start a new conversation:

"Powerful Amp that only needs a SHORT WARM UP". "LESS HEAT" Also Desired"

I try to get the title to be clear about the objective, so when seen in a list it clarifies things.

That makes ecological sense while reducing his problem

I don't care how much you can afford it, "Teach the Children Well"

have owned X250.8 for a number of years.  Had Threshold 4000 for several decades before it.  Both built like tanks and reliable.  Both operate warm to the touch, not really hot.  Always in large rooms in florida, never found heat to be a problem....

I would NEVER buy or keep an amp that required an hour to sound ’best’.

But if you leave them on all the time, they're always ready! 😃