small footprint Class A mono blocks and pre amplifier

Nice combo Pass Labs Zero with an XP30. Sweet.
You should enjoy this set up for a long time, congrats.

Congratulations. Pass are the best enjoy!

br3098. I am enjoying immensely my Passlabs Aelph Zero Class A mono blocks. They image flawlessly with my Passlabs XP30 line stage preamp.  They get very warm but not so hot that I can't put my hand on top for short period. I do have plenty of space on 4 sides and we have ceiling fans that keep the air moving in a large room with 14 foot ceiling. I appreciate Noble100's concern but the heat is below combustion temperatures.

br3098. I am enjoying immensely my Passlabs Aelph Zero Class A mono blocks. They image flawlessly with my Passlabs XP30 line stage preamp.  They get very warm but not so hot that I can't put my hand on top for short period. I do have plenty of space on 4 sides and we have ceiling fans that keep the air moving in a large room with 14 foot ceiling. I appreciate Noble100's concern the heat is below combustion temperatures.

Hello br3098,

     No, because he's not being logical and could burn down his house.

Tim

I think you're demonstrating poor judgement and rushed buying decisions

Because he didn't listen to you? Riiiight

galacticmayan
@georgehifi
Regarding biamping with the Aegir on the high/mids and the Vidar on the lows, I dig the idea, but this confuses me a bit because these 2 amps have different wattage ratings/output.

Mids and highs take far less than bass so the Class-A Aegir on the mids and highs is ideal. And the Vidar on the bass is ideal.
As for the different gains, which they will be, as they are different amps, the one with the highest gain will need a $49 Schiit Sys on the input so it can be level match to the other amp. (see diagram
https://ibb.co/R4jp0Lj

Cheers George

I think a good choice would be Electrocompanient either AW-180's or AW-400's if you really need mega power. They operate in class A mode up to 7 watts and don't rely on huge heat sinks. Finding them used may be a bit of a challenge though.

http://www.enjoythemusic.com/superioraudio/equipment/1210/electrocompaniet_aw180.htm

@georgehifi 

Regarding biamping with the Aegir on the high/mids and the Vidar on the lows, I dig the idea, but this confuses me a bit because these 2 amps have different wattage ratings/output. Wouldn't the ideal setup be to put an active passover between the preamp and the 2 power amps to control the frequencies that go to the speakers? 

Anyone tried an active component cooling device, like at acinfinity.com ?

Hello thinman2,

     Sounds good, please keep a fire extinguisher handy just in case.


Best wishes,
     Tim

Nobel100/Tim. You are exactly correct.  I often times exhibit poor judgement and impatience. If the Pass Labs Aleph O monoblocks. dont work out I'll put them on Audigon for sale and try something else.  Maybe Class D.  Thanks for your advice 

the basic Capri does not come with either phono or DAC, they are both add on extras...I bought my original Capri on the recommendation of a Pass dealer to use with a Pass amp...

   I think you're demonstrating poor judgement and rushed buying decisions.  
    Have you ever even considered or listened to a single high quality stereo or pair of monoblock class D amps with your speakers? The newer ones are compact, sip electricity, can be left on 24/7,sound very good to excellent and run cool to the touch.   If not, you're displaying poor judgment, failing to consider all viable options and have seriously rushed your purchasing decision.
     Have you ever used class A amps?  Yes, many of the expensive ones sound very good but most mainly consist of heatsinks.  They're mostly big, heavy, electricity gulping space heaters that force us to soul search, contemplate our values, search for alternative amp solutions and, in the meantime while we're doing so, either turn down the heat or turn up the AC.
     In any case, I would not advocate placing any class A amp in an enclosed space unless you enjoy melting stuff and starting fires. Have you considered a larger and more well ventilated entertainment center?  
     I just sense you're rushing things, not seriously considering alternative valid solutions that are more effective, safer, wiser, comparable in sound quality and won't burn down your house.
     I realize it's your money, system, home and choice.  Of course, you're free to ignore my advice, including my advice to double your homeowner's insurance coverage if you decide to ignore my advice.


Good luck,
    Tim

Thank you forum members.  I purchased a pair of  Pass Labs Aleph O monoblocks. Would appreciate any advice on a older Pass Labs preamplifier. Atmosphere appreciate your concern on the heat but I will make it work. jl35 looked at the Capri but I have a Pass Labs Phono and Lumin D2.

the Capri 2 is superb, and the phono and DAC cards are easily user installable, if you find one without...but the Capri 2 can only accept one, not both of these options...

Got 2 feet on each side and above each unit. Just don't have the depth.

Does this mean you can't put the amps beside the speakers? 2 feet sounds like plenty of room. It is true that a class A amp is going to have troubles inside a cabinet. Class A amps make heat and its important for them to get rid of it. 

Thanks to everyone for your replies.  Rugyboogie, Ive been searching the ads for Pass Labs XA60.5 to no avail. Wasn't aware of the Aelph, Zero and will look into them. Charles1dad German Valvet look really nice if I can find a pair used within budget.Mijostyn can't put behind speakers. Got 2 feet on each side and above each unit. Just don't have the depth. Looking for older Pass Labs in good condition as you and Rugyboogie suggest. Plan to run fully balanced system. What Pass Labs preamp would complement the Aelph, Zero?

An Atma-Sphere MP-3 and pair of M-60's, used.

Benchmark LA4 preamp & AHB2 amps, 9.5” depth with cables, 8.6k$.

McCormack Micro Power Drive and Line Drive.
Though the amp is probably A/B/
B

Bakoon AMP-13R of South Korea / Japan. Approximately USD $6K for this integrated (SE inputs). Class A/B (I think, but not sure). 

+1 on @charles1dad 's Valvet recommendation. 

Monarchy Audio

http://www.monarchy-audio.com/SE100_MK2_Main_Frame.htm

thinman2 small footprint Class A mono blocks and pre amplifier

1/4 of your budget, get 2 Schitt Aegir’s and vertically bi-amp
https://www.schiit.com/products/aegir
http://www.classicspeakerpages.net/IP.Board/uploads/monthly_2016_03/7_Vertical_Bi-Amp.thumb.jpg.672f...

or 1 Aegir on (mids&highs) and 1 Vidar (for more bass wallop) and horizontally bi-amp
https://www.schiit.com/products/vidar
http://www.classicspeakerpages.net/IP.Board/uploads/monthly_2016_03/biamp1.jpg.cfebd4caac8401a6cba8d...
 
And then a Schiit Freya + for you preamp that is extremely versatile.
https://www.schiit.com/products/freya-1

Cheers George

Thinman, you really do not want to put class A amps in the cabinet with your other stuff. They get too hot and have large EMF footprints. They are much better off behind the speakers. Get amps and preamp with balance connects then run very short speaker wires. I would definitely stick with Pass Labs. Try not to buy too old as older Class A amps will eventually burn out their output stages. I am sure Pass will rebuild any of his amps for a price. I would stick with 10 years or younger.  

     How about a high quality but compact preamp like the Jeff Rowland Design Group Capri2? It’s 2.6”(H) x 13.7” (W) x 6.2” (D), has optional internal phono and dac boards, is fully balanced and and comes with an aluminum remote. Here’s a link:

https://www.jeffrowlandgroup.com/capri-s2/

     Then just choose your class A monoblocks regardless of size, mount them on amp stands and position one behind or next to each speaker, connect each to your preamp with balanced xlr cables and run high quality speaker cables that are as short as possible from each amp to each speaker.
     Ideally, it'd be wise to use fully balanced class A monos with balanced xlr inputs for optimum performance, but it's not required.

Tim

Not Class A, but sound wonderful are the Ayre MX-R monoblocks. Turn them sideways and they'll meet your spec.

Look for the older Pass Labs Mono bocks, Aleph, Zero etc.Also the Classe DR3 and DR3 HC have a small footprint.GL