Heat from amps?


Looking through the forum threads on amplifiers I’ve read posts stating how the Pass Labs x250.8 gets warm enough for the occupants in the room to take notice, along with comments of being thankful for having an air conditioned room. In degrees, how much are we talking about at what levels of volume? I’d like to take all things into consideration while comparing power amplifiers. I have not been playing my Bryston 4B3 demo at loud volumes for long periods of time, but, as of yet, and the heat sinks have only gotten warm to the touch.

update : Keith English at Pass Labs had me call the dealer who I,ports Harbeth. "The 250.8 is too powerful, the XA25.8 is what we recommend." When asked about the XA30.8 I was told there is little difference compared to the XA25.8," and they reiterated the recommendation of the XA25.8 which has more than capable for handling my Harbeth 30.2 XDs. I thought dealers like to up sell? I'm worried about the handling of the bass on the XA25.8.
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The X250.8 is a class AB amp with a fair amount of bias current. The idle power dissipation is 450w. With higher efficiency speakers, you probably will be in class A bias most of the time, so power dissipation isn't going to be that much higher than the idle dissipation.

However, your Harbeth speakers are not that efficient at 85db/w. I'm surprised the dealer felt that a 25w or 30w amp (rated power) would be the best match. 

Both the XA25 and XA30.8 are class A amps with high bias. The XA30.8 idle power dissipation is 400w, almost the same as the X250.8. But as long as you are staying in class A bias, it's power dissipation will not go up while playing music (in fact, it will go down a bit).  The XA25 has lower bias current and idles at 240w. The XA30.8 has higher peak power in class AB than the XA25, but I doubt that you will notice that much difference between the two. One other difference is that the XA30.8 supports balanced inputs, while the XA25 does not. 

It's impossible to say how much your room temperature will increase with these amps since it depends on the size of the room, insulation, other heat sources, outside temperature, etc. I have a pair of XA60.8 monoblocks, each of which idle at 425w. I haven't owned them during the hottest months of the year, but so far, I haven't noticed that my room is any warmer (without AC being on). But my room is fairly large at 29' x 17' x 8'.
The Pass 250.8 is not heat like a tube amp I had a Pass 350.8 I did not think it ran overly hot.However its up to you that amp sounds wonderful with great dynamics and bass control.
I had Pass X600 mono blocks. Those are like running a space heater. 600 watt draw at idle each. Much more heat than my Audio Research VT-100 Mk II. 
some dealers have scruples... want the customer to buy the right thing

i will bet its reno hifi.. they are honest and knowledgeable... excellent
You want hot? Try an old krell pure class A amp. Pass runs cold next to those. Pass class A/B do not run hot but warm. You’ll be fine with a 250.8.