[Dave222]

Trying to decide between a PASS INT25 or a INT250 at the moment, and seeking opinions....
( Buying new, as 2nd hand scarce this side of the globe )

Using Moon CD 260 player as main source.
Speakers are Linn Isobariks ( known to be a bit difficult to drive )
Room is apx. 14' x 16' x 8'

Both sound v. good....  ( 250 costing more €€, but slightly better detailed, more power in "reserve".... )
So far, heat doesn't seem to be an issue.
Anybody regret going the INT250 route...?
Or think the INT25 had left them wishing they'd gone bigger....?

Any guidance appreciated...

[opnly bafld]

INT-25
There is much to admire in the Pass Labs INT-25's measured performance. However, its intolerance in the treble for loads of 4 ohms and below means it will work best with loudspeakers whose impedance doesn't drop below 8 ohms at high frequencies.—John Atkinson

Linn Isobarik
Hi-Fi for Pleasure noted that the speakers' impedance, although quoted at 3 ohms nominal, dipped considerably at some parts of the audio spectrum.[Note 2]

[Note 2] normal sealed box system resonance at 31 Hz was present with a cruelly low characteristic at higher frequencies, with dips to 3 ohms, 100 Hz, and 2.3 ohms, 4 kHz. The average value was barely higher than 4, with the 'nominal' value very low at 3 ohm. These results show that the speaker represents a very difficult load to drive and will also be critical of the impedance of both the accompanying connecting cable and amplifier output.[4]


Will you be able to demo and return if not a good match?

[rbbert]

What about the INT-60 (best of both worlds?)

[I.Greyhound Fan]

I own an X250.  I vote for the INT-250.  The reserve power is great, especially if you ever decide to buy more demanding speakers.

I use Magnepan 1.6 speakers and the amp never breaks a sweat and it almost never leaves class A.  The X250 runs in class A for the first 15 watts.

[Dave222]

Tnks guys for the quick responses....

Yup, heard the ohmic load varies---hence the Brics' difficulties.....
Probably why Hi-power Naims were used ( and even tri-amping ) to help counter-act that when they first came out.
Mine are the DMS ver., so sealed boxes, with xlr i/ps.

Been advised by my dealer that the 60 has a different sound, not as sweet as the 25.
He's v. good, so as a result, I have the 25 and the 250 in my L/room atm, switching back and forth.
I'm committed to buying one, but the big Q is ......which one?

Both sound good.
Agreed, the 250's winning out in terms of headroom, and capability wrt future (?) speakers. It's also exhibiting a bit more clarity and detail.....
Just $$ extra....
Just trying to illicit opinions on which I should pull the trigger on....
Pitfalls / overkill / regrets / normal upgraditis issues.....

Dave

[FullRangeMan]

I would avoid all amps with multiple output Transístors as Pass, but with such inefficient speakers you will need more than 200W muscular amp.
Só I would look an big Class D amp with a tube pre-amp IMO.

[dpatters]

One vote for Pass INT250. I prefer Class A, A/B over Class D amplification. Just my 2 cents. I don’t think the INT25 has enough horsepower for those speakers. You may want to consider a different speaker route vs a new amplification one.

Don P

[jjss49]

i am a pass fan, for solid state, very hard to surpass, and they do bring a touch (or little more than a touch) of tubelike dimensionality

my old and trusty int150 is a never sell piece

xa30.5  int60  xa25 all fine pieces, located on slightly different spots on the clarity vs sweetness vs iron grip spectrum

[toocool4]

Forget the price difference, if you can afford either pick the one that sounds better to you.

[Dave222]

Tnks again Guys...

My existing amp is a Mac7200 ( Class D )
The Mac is more versatile as regarding inputs ( Phono / Digital / Optical / Tuner / Headphones )
Whereas the PASS's are limiting on inputs ( x3 / x4 analog )
The 250 also takes up a lot of real estate
And as I've read elsewhere...there's that heat factor (although I haven't noticed that yet )

[I.Greyhound Fan]

I would avoid all amps with multiple output Transístors as Pass, but with such inefficient speakers you will need more than 200W muscular amp.
Só I would look an big Class D amp with a tube pre-amp IMO.

And why is that?  My Pass amp is going strong at almost 20 years old.  Pass gear has a strong track record and even old Pass gear can be repaired.

[FullRangeMan]

And why is that?  My Pass amp is going strong at almost 20 years old.  Pass gear has a strong track record and even old Pass gear can be repaired.

Wouldn't you prefer the less expensives Single Ended Transistors purity First Watts as SIT, Aleph or F5 with a hi sensitivity speaker?

[Dave222]

Have paid substantial amount already for one of the PASSs......
But at my instigation, Vendor offered me a home demo of both. So I'm confined to either / or.
The decision now rests with me on which one I keep.

Am just trying to glean whether I should go the extra, and opt for the 250.
And not regret the choice 6 months down the road...

[rbbert]

Linn Isobariks are quite inefficient speakers (86 dB); the additional power provided by the INT-250 would seem to be beneficial in most situations.

[I.Greyhound Fan]

Have paid substantial amount already for one of the PASSs......
But at my instigation, Vendor offered me a home demo of both. So I'm confined to either / or.
The decision now rests with me on which one I keep.

Am just trying to glean whether I should go the extra, and opt for the 250.
And not regret the choice 6 months down the road...

My X250 is a pain to move due to its size and 105# weight.  But I love the power and dynamics.  Heat is not so much an issue as my BAT preamp with 8 tubes puts out more heat.

[FullRangeMan]

Have paid substantial amount already for one of the PASSs......
But at my instigation, Vendor offered me a home demo of both. So I'm confined to either / or.
The decision now rests with me on which one I keep.

Am just trying to glean whether I should go the extra, and opt for the 250.
And not regret the choice 6 months down the road...

Before leave all that amount cash would be wise you email Nelson himself at Pass Labs site or at DiyAudio tô be sure the amp will drive those 2 ohms load without destroy itself.

[I.Greyhound Fan]

Before leave all that amount cash would be wise you email Nelson himself at Pass Labs site or at DiyAudio tô be sure the amp will drive those 2 ohms load without destroy itself.

No need to worry about that.

https://www.passlabs.com/product_tags/integrated/

[Dave222]

Certainly a pain to move around---kinda hook it up, hump it into place and hear it forever after....

If that's the beast I decide on, I'd probably put it on a trolley to slide in /out.
My rack is on wheels, but don't think the shelf would take the weight.

[audiojem]

Pass Lover Here!
Before I bought a INT-25 I would look on the second hand market for a XP-12 and XA-25 which I own and think its a killer combo + easy to move around unless rack space is a issue.
I've owned a INT-60 which I loved.
There is no better company to do business with then Pass Labs they take great care of their customers Kent should teach a class on it.
Enjoy
AJ

[audiojem]

Sorry re read your original post regarding the Linn's go with the 250 you will not regret it.
Other option XP-12 and a larger Pass power amp but might be a bit more $$$$$
Enjoy
AJ