Pass Labs X350.5 Stereo Amplifier Powerhouse 700w into 4ohms *Editors Choice*

A beautiful amplifier in perfect condition with the delicacy of of a tube amp and more power than you will likely ever need. This is probably the perfect amp for Magnepans. It offers a highly musical engaging experience. It is a 350 watt stereo amplifier known for its smoothness and nuance (and 700w into 4 ohms!). The first 40 watts is delivered in class A resulting in a liquid grain free listening experience. An extremely satisfying amplifier that can drive just about any load.

You can pick it up or even send your shipping labels if you prefer.

Midwest Audio. Trades considered.

I am also an authorized dealer for PS Audio, Oracle, Resonessence, COS Engineering, Verastarr, Canary Audio and Magnus Audio. Paypal or CC adds 2.9%,

What follows is a collection of reviews from various sources:

" I have personally compared this unit to a Pass Labs X350.8 and the X350.5 has a much sweeter sound, the X350.8 is dark sounding in comparison. Because of the X350.5 sonic prowess they RARLY show up on the used market."

Pass X350.5 $17,500
The X350.5 has some marvelous qualities in an almost category confounding package: First, it has a great deal of the liquidity, warmth, and musicality of a good tube amp while also delivering the taut, defined, and stable bass usually associated with a good solid-state amp; second, it has much of the delicacy of a fine medium-powered amplifier but the power to drive just about any speaker; third, its asking price is considerably lower than what is often charged for similar performance; and fourth, it has an uncanny musicality that draws the listener into the human element of recordings and seemingly deflects critical analysis of any particular audiophile aspect. Co-winner of TAS' 2013 Solid-State Amplifier of the Year Award.

What critics say

Editor's choice award 2017

The Absolute Sound

"Phenomenal audio fidelity"

audioholics.com

"It is clear to me that the X350.5 is worth every penny"

Enjoy the Music

"The Pass Labs X350.5 amplifier is an extraordinary achievement for both sound and execution"

Robert S. Youman

"This amplifier indeed receives an emphatic recommendation from me."

Dagogo.com

"2013 Solid-State Amplifier of the Year"

- The Absolute Sound

Editor's choice award 2013

The Absolute Sound

Editor's choice award 2012

The Absolute Sound

Editor's choice award 2011

The Absolute Sound

Editor's choice award 2010

The Absolute Sound

Editor's choice award 2009

The Absolute Sound

Positive Feedback:

"Though the XA.5 series seems to get the most press and accolades, the X.5 series can be just as alluring and satisfying with the right speakers and supporting components."

[Pass Labs' comments]: "Class A/B amps are optimized for maximal wattage and in general have higher rail voltage and correspondingly lower current reserves than the identical sized Class A amplifier. Additional current reserves are beneficial in loads of low impedance and with woofers that require lots of control. Higher voltage is beneficial with speakers that are already well damped or those which have capacitive reactance as a big part of their impedance plot (many panel speakers).

If I were taking the over-simplified view of the world, speakers with high "Q" would first audition with class A amps and those of low "Q" would first audition with A/B amps. Speakers of low impedance or high sensitivity tend to get auditioned with the XA.5 amps. Speakers of more modest impedance and low sensitivity tend to get auditioned with the X.5 amps."

"With the X.350.5, you can sense the tightness of the leather and skin on each drum. You can feel it in your chest and ass as the percussion moves across the soundstage. No overhang. No huffing and puffing. Speed and dynamics are as good as it gets. The X350.5 keeps up and executes without flaw."

"I have mentioned that the X350.5 has an incredible ability to produce proper weight and timbre. Check out the Guarnerius violin. You can almost taste and smell the rosin as it pops off the bow and strings. Piano is one of the most difficult instruments to record and reproduce. The harmonics are spot on. The dynamic interplay between the two is amazing. Reach out and touch! You are there!"

"The Pass Labs X350.5 amplifier is an extraordinary achievement for both sound and execution. When properly matched with speakers that have synergistic voltage, current and power requirements, it can compete well with any solid-state amplifier in the market. This includes Pass Labs own XA.5 series of amplifiers, which have received so much attention and rave reviews. The X350.5 can easily be paired up with a variety of tube preamplifiers to produce a sound that exemplifies the merits of both solid-state and tube design."

Dagogo:

"The X350.5 is extremely quiet, with no perceivable noise floor, has the dynamic agility that in my opinion, is literally in a class by itself. Its bass response is first rate in authority, weight, speed, and tunefulness. Yet, through this high-octane athleticism, EMERGES THE SOUL OF A SMALL TRIODE AMPLFIER. The midrange remains beautifully rendered, subtle nuances and textures remain intact, and images are expansive and remain so, even when the amplifier is pushed hard. Again, not a me-too variety solid-state amplifier, far from it."

More Music:

"The solid-state X350.5 does, indeed, sound similar to a fine tube amp, both in its general tonal character and in the way it “tracks” musical phrases (more on this later). However, the X350.5 offers much more than tube-like affectations."

"The amp is “liquid” in its ability to sound grain-free and non-electronic, and is “compelling” in its ability to reveal musically interesting nuances in the source material. Since much of the music I listened to with the X350.5 was
likely being handled via its first 40 watts, I believe this smoothness and nuance can be attributed to the Class A effect."

"Another similarity to tube amplifiers is the X350.5’s ability to track musical phrases in ways that many solid-state amps just seem to short change. Rather than cycle through a pattern of the “picking up” and the “letting go” of musical notes, the X350.5 seems to hold onto them better, longer, and more completely than most other solid-state amps in its price range."

"Considerably more than merely good sonic performance awaits X350.5 owners. It provides truly compelling listening sessions with your music collection—fatigue-free, imagination-inspiring, emotion-filled listening sessions. Its prodigious power, natural tonal balance, and liquidity impart a solid foundation to even the most demanding music while caressing delicate passages with a silky fine touch. I can’t think of a more powerful and non-fatiguing amp close to its asking price."

Enjoy The Music

"Pass Labs claims that the X350.5 brings more 'spatial development and detail' than with any of the smaller X.5 series product to the reproduction of music. They go on to say that the X350.5 is capable of exposing very subtle tonal shading in recordings, even though they consider it their 'workhorse stereo Class A/B amplifier.'"

Absolute
Sound.

“First of all, the amp has massive power reserves and can drive just about any speaker with ease. It is rated at 350W per channel into 8 ohms and 700W into 4 ohms—indicative of a very stout power supply and robust output stage. The X350.5 also operates in Class A for its first 40 watts, and Class A amps tend to sound much more powerful than typical Class A/B or Class B amps of the same power rating. As a result, the X350.5 drove the somewhat power-hungry YG Kipod II Signature Passive speaker with absolute authority, imparting a general feeling of ease in demanding music passages, which never became harsh or otherwise exhibited strain—often a sign of a stable and robust amplifier. Its uncanny way of drawing the listener into the recorded musical performances—that I find so compelling”