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Pass Labs X250.8 Stereo Amplifier
Pass Labs X250.8 Stereo Amplifier (Back)
Pass Labs X250.8 Stereo Amplifier
Pass Labs X250.8 Stereo Amplifier
Pass Labs X250.8 Stereo Amplifier
X250.8 Stereo Amplifier
Class A, powers any floorspeaker with ease, incredible detail and soundstage More details
Pass Labs X250.8 Stereo Amplifier
Pass Labs X250.8 Stereo Amplifier (Back)
Pass Labs X250.8 Stereo Amplifier
Pass Labs X250.8 Stereo Amplifier
Pass Labs X250.8 Stereo Amplifier
X250.8 Stereo Amplifier
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The Pass Labs X250.8 stereo amplifier is a powerhouse of audio performance that redefines the listening experience. The X250.8 is a flagship stereo amplifier designed to deliver 250 watts per channel into 8 ohms, showcasing Pass Labs' renowned Class A/B topology for exceptional sound quality. Its symmetrical circuitry and meticulously selected components ensure precise and transparent audio reproduction, revealing the finest nuances in your music. Equipped with balanced (XLR) and single-ended (RCA) inputs, large heat sinks, and a robust power supply, the Pass Labs X250.8 offers both raw power and finesse. With its elegant design, exceptional build quality, and unrivaled performance, the X250.8 is the epitome of audio excellence for the most discerning audiophiles.
Dragon Cable Recommendation: we recommend pairing the X250.8 stereo amplifier with our award-winning Bronze Dragon Interconnects. The Bronze Dragon Interconnect is one of our best-selling cables at Moon Audio. With a braided geometry and amazing shielding, this interconnect is a remarkable solution where noise isolation is key. The Black Dragon Power Cable is also recommended to provide the cleanest and unbridled power to your high-end amplifier.
The Pass Labs X250.8 stereo amplifier is packed with features that exemplify its commitment to audio excellence:
The Pass Labs X250.8 stereo amplifier is a significant leap in power and performance from its predecessor, the X150.8. As with all Pass Labs products, the X250.8 has undergone a meticulous design process, with each component painstakingly selected and each circuit meticulously tuned to achieve the pinnacle of musical enjoyment. This dedication to craftsmanship and creativity allows the X250.8 to offer a deeper exploration of the original musical performance, providing additional insight into the artist's creative intent. With every note and every passage, the X250.8 delivers an immersive listening experience that brings the listener closer to the heart of the music, capturing the essence and emotion of the performance with unparalleled clarity and detail.
Pass Labs and First Watt were founded by hi-fi legend Nelson Pass. After co-founding and later selling Threshold Audio, Pass began working out of his Auburn, California, home in the early 1990s to develop prototypes of single-ended Class A amplifier designs under the name Pass Labs. Pass Labs quickly became known for its commercially produced Aleph, X, and XA Series amps, and preamps. Pass later started First Watt as a passion project focusing on low-power amps for a niche audiophile audience. Today, Pass splits his time between the two companies, with production happening in Pass Labs' facility in Foresthill, California.
What is the power output of the Pass Labs X250.8 Stereo Amplifier?
The Pass Labs X250.8 Stereo Amplifier delivers 250 Watts per channel into 8 ohms. This substantial power output, combined with its Class A/AB operation, provides ample headroom and dynamic capability for driving a wide range of speakers. The X250.8 is designed to deliver exceptional clarity and control, even with demanding speaker loads.
What are the key features of the Pass Labs X250.8 Stereo Amplifier?
The Pass Labs X250.8 is packed with features designed to satisfy audiophiles seeking uncompromising sound quality. It features a fully balanced input stage and a robust, high-current output stage for low distortion and musicality. The X250.8 includes Pass Labs' proprietary Super-Symmetry circuitry for improved performance, along with a precision volume control for accurate level adjustments. It also offers a remote control for convenience and a home theater bypass mode for seamless integration into multi-channel systems.
Can the Pass Labs X250.8 drive even the most demanding or low-impedance speakers?
Yes, the Pass Labs X250.8 Stereo Amplifier is engineered to drive a wide range of speakers, including those with demanding loads or low impedances. With its 250 Watts per channel into 8 ohms (500 Watts into 4 ohms), the X250.8 has the power and control to handle virtually any speaker with ease. Its Class A/AB operation ensures stability and clarity, delivering a detailed and dynamic soundstage even with challenging speaker designs.
Does the Pass Labs X250.8 require any special considerations for setup or maintenance?
The Pass Labs X250.8 Stereo Amplifier is designed for straightforward setup and operation. It does not require bias adjustments, as it is a self-biasing Class A/AB design. However, users should ensure proper ventilation for optimal performance, as higher-powered amplifiers can generate heat. Adequate ventilation will help maintain the amplifier's performance and longevity. Additionally, it is recommended to provide sufficient space around the amplifier for airflow and to follow Pass Labs' guidelines for safe and optimal operation.
Who is Nelson Pass?
Nelson Pass, the man behind Pass Labs and First Watt, has been designing and building amplifiers for decades. His early passion, however, was speakers; at age 14, he started assembling loudspeakers. As a college student studying physics at the University of California-Davis, he co-founded a speaker company called PMA. He also worked for ESS, where he designed crossovers and enclosures. After college, with his interest having shifted toward amplifiers, Pass co-founded Threshold Electronics (now Threshold Audio). His achievements during the Threshold years include developing the first dynamically biased Class A amplifier circuit; developing a fully cascode audio power amplifier; and developing the STASIS stereo preamplifier and power amplifier. During the 1980s, Pass designed the Adcom GFA-555 amplifier. Later, after selling Threshold, he started Pass Labs in 1991 and First Watt in 1997. Pass holds several patents related to audio circuits.
How did Pass Labs make its name?
Pass Labs helped popularize solid-state, Class A power amplifiers. Pass Labs' first product, the Aleph 0 amplifier, operated as single-ended Class A up to its 70 watt rating and in push pull Class A at higher wattage. The Aleph series of amplifiers, some of the first solid-state amps that were said to be "tube-like" in sound, operated pure class A and contained internal circuitry using MOSFETs. The Aleph amplifiers had a unique appearance, a cube with heat sinks on all four sides, a solution to the heat generated by the class-A design. This can be attributed primarily to the specific MOSFETs used and the minimum number of gain stages that were implemented in the design. Pass Labs also developed the Super-Symmetry™ ("Su-Sy") circuit, which achieves exceptionally low distortion and noise levels. In 1998, Pass Labs released the X1000, the first amplifier using the patented SuperSymmetric™ topology. The X1000 achieved 1000 watts with high performance, local feedback and only two gain stages: a cascoded differential pair of transistors and a large bank of complementary output followers. This groundbreaking design informed all subsequent Pass Labs amplifiers.
What else does Pass Labs make?
In 2002, Pass Labs unveiled the first XA amplifiers, combining the X and Aleph topologies into balanced single-ended Class A amplifiers with many of the characteristics of both the X and Aleph series. The current Pass Labs lineup includes Class A amps (XA and Xs Series), Class AB amps (.8 Series), line preamps (Xs and XP Series), phono preamps (Xs and XP Series), integrated amps (INT Series), and one headphone amp.
What is the relationship between Pass Labs and First Watt?
When he started Pass Labs, Pass did everything out of his home. In 1997, having outgrown the space, Pass Labs moved into commercial space in Foresthill, California. When Pass started First Watt, it was a "kitchen table" venture, with work once again happening in his home. In 2016, with production demands not leaving him enough time to pursue the vast array of yet-to-be-designed amps, Nelson handed the business end of First Watt over to Pass Labs. Pass Labs took over the building of First Watt amplifiers as well as marketing and distribution. There's a synergy between the two operations, in that Pass Labs gets to gather up some of the more interesting First Watt finds and repurpose them as more commercially viable designs. Today, Pass splits his time between First Watt and Pass Laboratories.
