Pass Labs X350.5 Stereo Power Amplifier Review
Summary
- Product Name: X350.5 Stereo Power Amplifier
- Manufacturer: Pass Labs
- Performance Rating:
- Value Rating:
- Review Date: October 23, 2012 21:32
- MSRP: $ 11k
- Specifications
-
- Number of Channels: 2
- Voltage Gain: 26 dB
- Power Output /ch: 350 watts (8 ohms) / 700 watts (4 ohms)
- Class A Power up to 40 watts (peak)
- Input Impedance: 30 kohm / 20 kohm
- Power Consumption : 600 watts (idle)
- Dimensions (W x H x D): 19” x 11.2” x 22.5”
- Unit Weight: 132 lbs
- Ship Weight: 150 lbs
Pros
- Phenomenal audio fidelity
- Visually striking
- Built by Cybertronians
Cons
- Expensive
- Big and heavy
- Power-hungry
Introduction
The Pass Labs X350.5 350 watt/ch stereo amplifier has the appearance like it was sculpted by Cybertronians. It portrays a commanding presence that just draws your attention. The X350.5 is built like a tank, pegging the scale in the pride of ownership department and weight (132 lbs). Its pristine sonic virtues and ability to drive even the most challenging of speaker loads beyond reference levels is even more impressive than its overall excellent bench test results. But, its power hungry demeanor and luxurious pricing isn't for the faint of wallet. However, I'm confident if Optimus Prime were an audiophile, it's a sure bet the X350.5 would be his amplifier of choice. Audiophile & Audioholics recommended!
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Irvrobinson posts on October 26, 2012 22:21
surveyor;917475
In the fact that it's more powerful than either the Mark Levinson or the ATI amps says it all- it truly a beast!
Actually, both the Levinson and the X350.5 are both merely in the middle of the respective manufacturers' product lines. If you want to get really silly with amplifiers both companies will fully accommodate you. Pass makes an X1000.5, and Levinson makes the completely ridiculous No53 monoblocks for $50K per pair. The Pass Labs monster is a comparative bargain at only about $35K per pair.
surveyor posts on October 26, 2012 21:00
gene;917055
Yep an amp spends most of its time operating at low power so it's good to see how quite and clean it is there.
No doubt the ATI amp is a good one but it's not as powerful as the Pass Labs.
Using square waves to test an amp has little value these days when you can power sweep from 10-20kHz and beyond with modern test equipment.
The Pass Lab's amp displayed extreme linearity at all power levels for the entire audio band.
In the fact that it's more powerfull than either the Mark Levinson or the ATI amps says it all- it truly a beast!
craig7 posts on October 26, 2012 20:37
wow you guys reviewed a product ive actually seen in person before
and yeah... it is a pretty beast amp. ive never heard any system louder than it... it was incredible
and yeah... it is a pretty beast amp. ive never heard any system louder than it... it was incredible
mtrycrafts posts on October 26, 2012 18:06
Good point. My electric bill can go up as much as $80.oo+ when I use my amp heavy in a two month period. It uses 5800 watts at test conditions which I usually hit when I do turn on my system.
Now, that is not chicken feed And, that is just from one source.
We have a freezer with no auto defrost. Plugged it into a KillAWatt meter for exactly 30 days, 720 hours; 62 kWh, for two people left in house
Now, that is not chicken feed And, that is just from one source.
We have a freezer with no auto defrost. Plugged it into a KillAWatt meter for exactly 30 days, 720 hours; 62 kWh, for two people left in house
josko posts on October 26, 2012 13:41
I'm just glad that people are still making gear like that and that there's a market to keep them in business. I've got a serious case of upgradeitis on my hands - only time will tell whether my wallet or my illness prevails.
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