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Pass Labs 20 Years and Counting

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  #11  
Old 10-04-2016, 06:43 AM
Andrei Andrei is offline
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The quality is there (I'm running a X150.8) - no ifs or buts. Is there a downside? Fraid so. Heat heat and heat. Also there is a warm-up time. A good 30 mins at least. This is not a "ok whatever I don't mind". This is real heat and is a natural consequence of class A. These babies produces serious heat. The quality is there but pay baby pay!!
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  #12  
Old 12-15-2016, 01:28 AM
Mercury3 Mercury3 is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Andrei View Post
The quality is there (I'm running a X150.8) - no ifs or buts. Is there a downside? Fraid so. Heat heat and heat. Also there is a warm-up time. A good 30 mins at least. This is not a "ok whatever I don't mind". This is real heat and is a natural consequence of class A. These babies produces serious heat. The quality is there but pay baby pay!!
Yeah they run warm but I've ran some large vacuum tube amps so compared to them the Pass Labs are not that hot. They just need proper ventilation. Agree with the warm up time. I'm running the XA30.8 and it take well over an hour to come up to full temp. I think it sounds fine even after five minutes though.
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  #13  
Old 03-07-2017, 09:54 PM
STC STC is offline
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Have anyone made a comparison between X250.8 and X350.8 amps?
Worthwhile to invest the extra money to go for X350.8?
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  #14  
Old 03-12-2017, 01:54 PM
tdimler tdimler is offline
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Haven't had the chance to compare them but the 250.8 and 350.8 are said to be voiced differently, the 250 being smoother and more refined, while the 350 may have more grip but is a bit less smooth.
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  #15  
Old 03-12-2017, 10:33 PM
STC STC is offline
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Default X250.8 or X350.8 ?

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Originally Posted by tdimler View Post
Haven't had the chance to compare them but the 250.8 and 350.8 are said to be voiced differently, the 250 being smoother and more refined, while the 350 may have more grip but is a bit less smooth.
Thank you for sharing.
I am looking for am amplifier to drive my newly purchased Stradivari, and it is mainly for HT system. Friends advised me to spend the extra money (US$10k vs US$14K) and go for the X350.8. Hence I am keen to hear from others their experiences and suggestions on these two amplifiers.
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  #16  
Old 03-13-2017, 12:21 PM
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MtnHam MtnHam is offline
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Electrostatic speakers generally need substantial current to sound their best, something that class A/B amps deliver easier than class A amps. My Sound Lab U-1PX speakers (89 dB) pair well with my Pass Lab X260.8 monos, and yes they do produce some heat.

Last edited by MtnHam; 03-13-2017 at 05:24 PM.
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  #17  
Old 09-11-2017, 03:58 PM
Mikado463 Mikado463 is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MtnHam View Post
My Sound Lab U-1PX speakers (89 dB) pair well with my Pass Lab X260.8 monos, and yes they do produce some heat.
Interesting that you say that for I read that others feel they are no warmer than any other Class A/B amp. I tend to agree with you for the fact that they remain biased into Class A further than any other Pass A/B amp(other than the X600.8) so the warmth factor makes sense.

I'll find out soon enough, I have a pair arriving tomorrow.
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  #18  
Old 09-11-2017, 05:13 PM
GSOphile GSOphile is online now
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Quote:
Originally Posted by STC View Post
Have anyone made a comparison between X250.8 and X350.8 amps?
Worthwhile to invest the extra money to go for X350.8?
I posed a similar question to Pass Labs' Kent English with respect to driving Magico S3 Mk IIs. Here was his reply.

"I've had both at home, if we take both in real world listening I find the X350.8 has more dynamic impact and contrast and the X250.8 a tiny bit more warmth in the lower mids. Depending upon the speaker's integration into a room I could go either way.. IF you want more "jump" then the X350.8.... if you want a bit more romance in the mids then the X250.8."
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  #19  
Old 09-11-2017, 07:38 PM
Mikado463 Mikado463 is offline
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Originally Posted by GSOphile View Post
IF you want more "jump" then the X350.8.... if you want a bit more romance in the mids then the X250.8."
and if you want both, then the X260.8 mono blocks............... I'll confirm shortly
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  #20  
Old 09-11-2017, 10:06 PM
aardvarkbark aardvarkbark is offline
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Kent's a genuine credit to PASS for all the right reasons, but when his observations include 'romance in the mids', I wonder if he has enough balance in his life outside of the office....

I'm envious of your PASS / Magico system.
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