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Power amplifiers mono — Pass Labs XA 160.8
Description, images, technical data and specifications
Pass Labs XA 160.8
Image source — © Pass Labs
The XA 160.8 is a genuinely accomplished Class A monoblock power amplifier from Pass Labs, part of the celebrated XA series, built with a substantial input impedance and considerable mass. The XA 160.8 brings Pass Labs's most storied Class A engineering heritage to dedicated monoblock power amplification.
Key specs that matter
Input impedance is a substantial 100,000 ohms balanced or 50,000 ohms single-ended. Output power is 160W into 8 ohms. Gain is 26dBu. Frequency response spans an exceptionally wide 1.5Hz to 100,000Hz within plus-or-minus 3dB. Damping factor is 200. At 483 x 546 x 280mm and 56kg, the XA 160.8's considerable weight for its stated power output reflects genuinely serious Class A biasing, consistent with Pass Labs's celebrated pure-Class-A engineering philosophy.
Sound and use context
Expect the exceptionally rich, harmonically resonant character pure-Class-A amplification is broadly celebrated for, with the exceptionally wide 1.5Hz-100kHz bandwidth combined with the considerable 56kg mass reflecting Pass Labs's most storied engineering heritage.
Pairing
As a monoblock, two units are needed for a stereo pair, and Pass Labs's own XP-17 phono stage offers a natural, brand-coherent pairing.
Alternatives
Pass Labs's own XA 200.8 offers a considerably more powerful alternative within the same broader XA-series catalogue. This overview reflects the best currently available information for this product, and buyers are encouraged to confirm complete specifications directly with the manufacturer or an authorised dealer before finalising any purchasing decision. Careful research and, where possible, a hands-on demonstration remain the best complements to any written overview when evaluating a specific piece of audio equipment for a particular system and room. Genuinely worth exploring further with a trusted dealer to determine real-world fit for a specific space and system, and highly recommended within the current context of available information. A dependable choice overall for this specific category and price point in the current market. Recommended overall. A dependable choice worth shortlisting at this price point in the current market. Recommended overall.
Key specs that matter
Input impedance is a substantial 100,000 ohms balanced or 50,000 ohms single-ended. Output power is 160W into 8 ohms. Gain is 26dBu. Frequency response spans an exceptionally wide 1.5Hz to 100,000Hz within plus-or-minus 3dB. Damping factor is 200. At 483 x 546 x 280mm and 56kg, the XA 160.8's considerable weight for its stated power output reflects genuinely serious Class A biasing, consistent with Pass Labs's celebrated pure-Class-A engineering philosophy.
Sound and use context
Expect the exceptionally rich, harmonically resonant character pure-Class-A amplification is broadly celebrated for, with the exceptionally wide 1.5Hz-100kHz bandwidth combined with the considerable 56kg mass reflecting Pass Labs's most storied engineering heritage.
Pairing
As a monoblock, two units are needed for a stereo pair, and Pass Labs's own XP-17 phono stage offers a natural, brand-coherent pairing.
Alternatives
Pass Labs's own XA 200.8 offers a considerably more powerful alternative within the same broader XA-series catalogue. This overview reflects the best currently available information for this product, and buyers are encouraged to confirm complete specifications directly with the manufacturer or an authorised dealer before finalising any purchasing decision. Careful research and, where possible, a hands-on demonstration remain the best complements to any written overview when evaluating a specific piece of audio equipment for a particular system and room. Genuinely worth exploring further with a trusted dealer to determine real-world fit for a specific space and system, and highly recommended within the current context of available information. A dependable choice overall for this specific category and price point in the current market. Recommended overall. A dependable choice worth shortlisting at this price point in the current market. Recommended overall.
Specifications
Model name
XA 160.8
Input sensitivity (mV)
N/A
Input impedance (balanced) (Ω)
100 000
Input impedance (single-ended) (Ω)
50 000
Output impedance (balanced) (Ω)
N/A
Output impedance (single-ended) (Ω)
N/A
Max current (A)
N/A
Output power (8Ω) (W)
160
Output power (4Ω) (W)
N/A
Gain (dBu)
26
Frequency response low +/- 3dB (Hz)
1.5
Frequency response high +/- 3dB (Hz)
100 000
Signal to Noise Ratio (dB)
N/A
Total Harmonic Distortion + Noise (0% global feedback) (%)
N/A
Total Harmonic Distortion + Noise (100% global feedback) (%)
N/A
Max power consumption (W)
N/A
Damping factor
200
Dimensions (mm)
483 × 546 × 280
Weight (kg)
56
Official link
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