Pass Lab Amp questions, back of amps, power cable & 12v trigger.


Greetings.  I have been in radio silence since my amp is still at Krell for service since April.  Thinking of procuring a used Pass Labs amp in the interim.  I see the Pass amps have a removeable power cable and an odd 12v trigger input.  What gage wire do the X250 & X350 amps come with in case I need to get a power cable?  Also the 12v trigger terminals.  Do they use a standard cable with one end stripped and bare wire used?  If so, I reckon a mono cable would be used.  Seems odd to me this setup.  The online manuals do not really say much & do not mention the 12v trigger from what I read.

Thanks for any input.   -John

128x128jsd52756

My Krell KCT has a 12v trigger that I like to use.  It also has a delay which is handy when powering up the system.  That way the pre & main amps don't suck a lot of power at the same time.  Is the Pass trigger only for pass equipment?  

Pass labs amplifiers come with a heavy gauge generic power cord.  Most Pass Lab owners upgrade the stock power cable.  The 12v trigger accepts bare wire and can be used with any preamp that employs a trigger output. 

@jsd52756 - 12V trigger is not odd. It is commonly used by many manufacturers to coordinate equipment operation. Very common in HT systems where multiple components must be turned on and off from a single remote. Usually preamp or receiver is source and power amps are receiver of the signal. Note that components do no have to be from the same manufacturer. Trigger can control components from different sources.

Pass amps come with 14awg power cables. I never used a trigger despite having the amps paired with a Pass preamps (XP-12 and XP-22) that don’t feature standby mode.

Few things…,

1. The amps respond well to higher quality power cables. I used a lot of different cables from Audience F3 to Audioquest Hurricane. The Audience F3 is cheap and is a good upgrade over stock cord

2. If you plan on using single ended inputs make sure you use the XLR shorting plugs or you will have elevated noise levels.

Pass Labs make fine components. You won’t regret it.

I just thought it is odd that the 12v trigger must have the end cut off, striped & then bare wired to the black/ red terminal on the back of the amp.  Or is there a 12v receptacle?  Sorry I just cannot see from the photos on line how their connection works.  Murphys law, as soon as I use my best coercion on the spouse and convince her that we need another high dollar piece of equipment,  ol' Krell will get fired back up.  "But look honey, it's an investment. "