1. Home
  2. amps-preamps
  3. 198218-184484

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
rbyington711's avatar
rbyington711
80 posts
 

I had a used X250 and it was one of the best-sounding amps in my system and the reliability was off the charts Pass will stand behind what they sell no matter when they built it. As far as heat yes very warm and even in standby it pulls more electricity than two refrigerators a plasma TV… you get my drift. My wife said our utility bill dropped by $60 a month 

axeis1
320 posts
 

I think if heat bothers you maybe the Pass isn't for you?

hartf36's avatar
hartf36
231 posts
 

A few rude individuals hereno. 

Agreed.  I thought about responding, but after I checked my stash, I discovered I was fresh out of Troll Chow.

pennpencil
143 posts
 

I have a 250.8 and the xp 30. The preamp doesn’t even have vents so it’s cool. The 250.8 draws about 1/2 watt in sleep mode. So it’s cool. You turn the amp on one hour before using it. Then it gets warm, not hot. I can rest  my hand on the top. It’s the temp of warm tea you would drink. And yes, the amp seems to keep improving up to the second hour.

moto_man
456 posts
 

I wouldn't worry about it.  I have a Pass Labs x250.8 and it is fine and never gets out of Class A.  I also use a 12v trigger so that when I turn on my ArC REF 6, the amp turns on and of course, when I turn the pre off, the amp is in standby too.  So it really never gets that hot and the pre emits more heat.  I'm in Miami and have a 10.5x10.5 music room so I would definitely notice if it was really an issue -- and its not.

More to discover