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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
rush1
17 posts
 

I live in the tropics and use a Pass Labs XA30.8 to drive my RAAL Immanis via the ribbon interface. I honestly have no issue with the heat whatsoever.

In fact, the amp sits under my desk, which you'd think would make the heat more noticeable, but it hasn't been a problem. My apartment AC is always on, so that certainly helps.

The XA30.8 does run warm—as expected from a Class A Pass amplifier—but in daily use I find the heat concern is often overstated. I typically leave it on for several hours during listening sessions, and it has never made my room or even my legs feel noticeably warmer.

dman777 OP
188 posts
 

Just a follow up... I heard some Pass Labs class A monoblocks. On some Dynaudios. It sounded way to tame and boring for me. So, scratch Pass Labs for me. 

chabba
1 posts
 

been said before ... and not really the question.. but my PASS INT 250 gets  " a bit warm"  .. i would call it ;-) nothing compared to some tubes ;-) 

ddafoe
270 posts
 

@dman777, if you get a chance try to here a Coda amplifier.   I find my S5.5 more resolving and dynamic (i.e. exciting) than both the XA250.8 and X30.8.    The S5.5 reminds me somewhat of a SimAudio Moon amplifier I owned for a while but with its Class A bias I would say it has a little more mass and fullness than the leaner SimAudio.  So maybe the Coda for me is in between the Pass and SimAudio house sound with my speakers at least.

kennyc
2,859 posts
 

@dman777 It sounded way to tame and boring for me. 

Perhaps Gryphon Audio?

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