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Pass Labs 350.5 or 600.5 owners--breakin time.....

I just bought a pair of Pass Labs 600.5 monoblocks which now have about 25 hours playing time on them. They are starting to finally open up in the upper registers and in detail. Still kind of veiled though... They sound better after 4+ hours of play. Could anyone comment on the total breakin time and what they may sound like after say 100 hours? Thanks! Stan
talon4
talon4 OP
185 posts
 
Hello, I've waited a while to make sure of my findings... My Pass Labs 600.5 amps now have about 900 hours on them. At 650 hours the amps started to became more musical, clear, detailed, layered and 3 dimensional. It took another 100 hours more after that for the changes to be permanent. Since the amps haven't changed for 150 hours now, I would say about 750 hours for full breakin, probably due to the large power supply of each amp. Take care. Stan
tboooe's avatar
tboooe
1,009 posts
 
Thanks for the reply Stan. My XA160s now have about 75 hours on them. I am hoping they do not need 750 hours??? Just out of curiosity, do you yuse aftermarkets power cables with your pass amps?
talon4 OP
185 posts
 
Hi Tboooe, At about 300 hours on the amps, I tried a Shunyata Anaconda Alpha Helix on each amp-(borrowed from the Cable Company).The Anacondas made the bass fuller with more bass "sustain" and detail, helped the mids somewhat in clarity and musicality, but rolled off the highs. The highs were already slightly rolled off at that point, due to breakin. I'm using the stock power cords right now, but I want to try a pair of Anacondas again to see how the amps perform in the upper frequencies now that they are broken in. It may be a pretty good match. Best wishes. Stan
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