I run CLX with BF212’s and T+A CWT 1000-40 Carbons. I know what you mean on the CLX.
I’m not a class A fan, although I know I’m supposed to be. The M40-HV do both class A and AB. I like a crisper sound than class A most of the time. I know many enjoy class A. I’d consider the Pass X350.8 I believe is the model.
Best,
Galen
I have several of them all connected with fiber to a core switch. They have been very reliable and Ubiquiti regularly updates them. The S/W used to manage the switches and the rest of the network is the best I have seen for pro-sumer devices
They do run a little warm, between 55°C and 67°C.
The GG posts are by far the most informative I’ve seen on the forum. Post more often!! Good stuff
Killer!
This coming from a GM guy!
Best,
-JP
I don’t have much to compare them too but I would certainly keep them until a replacement was at least fully proven out. The 300’s have have a pretty easy resell market so it wouldn’t take long to sell them if the time came. My 300’s have been trouble free since new.
Once I can gather up a little more free time I would like to try a different set of tubes but that is a huge can of worms and I’m not quite ready to jump in yet.
Vern
Happy 10th cake day anniversary @owlsalum
Hey thanks guys (thanks Elk!). Do I get a prize? I’ll take a pair of FR30s. May as well aim high, eh!
Seriously though, this on-line community is an oasis of civility and fun, chatting about what we all love music and gear to reproduce it with. 
That Aspen R/T needs LOTS of power. I’ll take mine with a Hemi please.
Sure it does! It was fitted with 360 (5.9L) engine and three speed manual transmission.
Yeah - but it doesn’t have the power to reproduce the experience of a top fuel dragster…
1st: Burn rubber
2nd: Go Fast
3rd: Haul…Bass
I know what you mean. I’ve had several of the Pass “X” series class A/B amps. They do have a bit more punch and “presence,” but for me the single-ended class A sits squarely in the sweet spot between tubes and SS.
The X350.8 would require a crane for installation. It’s heavy.
And most of one’s listening would likely be at class A. I believe it doesn’t leave A until around 20 watts.
I’m stuck (as usual) in the past, preferring Pass’s older Point 5 models. I’m using XA100.5 monoblocks now and I’m in the “can’t get better than this” mode right now.
The XA 160.5/.8 are in the same chassis and tip in at ~120lb each. Definitely a 2-man lift.
I had an old pair of Standesign amp stands that I up-cycled for these beasts by replacing the original casters with larger and more robust ones and replacing the MDF platform with a 1/2" aluminum plate to support the weight.
Maybe not the ne plus ultra of amp stands, but the ability to roll them around for cleaning and rearranging the room from time to time trumps style.
You’re both right. This is why I bought the T+A M40 HV design.
Class A is a softer sound. It is more forward and pulls in the soundstage from the sides as a result of the forward image. The imaging stays to the edge of the speakers and doesn’t extend as far to the outside of each speaker. But, on stuff that isn’t needing that left to right (old mono stuff) the midrange is spotlighted really well. ALL class A amps have had this trait and I’ve listened to Pass Labs, Plinieus and T+A. That’s good, as the qualities reliably carries over those class A traits to those that enjoy it.
I like a solid and architectural mirror into the music and painted with primary color pallet and not pastels. AB does this better. Yes, yes some AB is more “A” than others, true. Probably WHY we hear each AB amp differently. If the music is a softer more pastel presentation, the clearer the amplifier as a mirror the better. I only want the source to be softer, not everything going through it. Tracy Chapman is BIG and soft by design in the recording. The amp needs to stay away from that!
I hear you on the weight! The M40 HV are 172 pounds each in the crates. UGH. But looking for a SS AB amp(s) as backups. The tube front end is “OK” if it isn’t biased to the moon. That kills the life of a tube. I can’t say I disagree with the hybrid approach as the M40 HV are clearly that.
Best,
Galen Gareis
Hah! Casters. Sweet. I don’t feel so ashamed admitting I use casters with my heavy Salk floorstanders. Same reason. My aching back.
Fantastic amps, for sure, but a tad above my pay grade, unfortunately . 
There should be a riff on the HGTV show “My Lottery Dream Home” called “My Lottery Dream Sound System.”
Anyway, FWIW, I do get L & R imaging well beyond the speakers when the material calls for it p so enough to keep me happy.
So I wonder what amps PSA will be using to drive the F30’s in listening room 1?
My bet is the BHK 600.
The M40 HV capture some of the “tube” goodness (could also be the “A” bias level or both together) in the midrange and also captures the SS “sound” that is fast and dynamic.
The M40 HV’s aren’t all to either side of class A (midrange holographic image) or pure SS (slam) but a comfortable middle. In AB hi-power mode they do really well across lots of music. A flick of two switches real time and they are bi-amp + bi-cable class A. Two amps in one or three if you count “high power” bridged class A too.
Remember when amps were supposed to be just watts/dollar and all sound the same? They don’t sound the same at all with different bias, transistor devices and voltage front ends.
For me, the Pass Labs X350.8 SS amp has what I like to hear, fast and tight. And yes, it is HEAVY 130 pounds or so. I wish it had bi-cable terminals on the back for the price. Not a deal breaker but…lesser amps have it.
Any news on updated versions of the X350.8? Truth be told, the X260.8 is plenty.
Best,
Galen Gareis
