Pass Labs INT 250...

B

bluegrassphile

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...I'm just continuing my amp search. I'd appreciate owners of the Pass Labs int 250, or those who've auditioned one, to tell me about it. ALL the reviews I've read and forum posts have been glowingly and very consistently positive. Please don't tell me to go audition one. There are very likely none within hundreds of miles from my home. And, being a relatively new component, they're going to be pretty rare to begin with. I'd really appreciate any info or comments from those who own one or have auditioned one. I'm especially interested in how the int 250 sounds through Harbeth speakers. Thank you so much.


Tom
 
GSOphile said:
If you're really interested, you can probably get a demo from Mark at Reno Hi Fi.
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Pass Labs INT-250 high-current integrated amp Demo, new condition, about one month old, three years transferable factory warranty, all factory accessories, now in used boxing, (new factory boxing available for a nominal fee with amp purchase). Satisfaction Guaranteed, S/N 35741. $8995.
 
Shadowfax said:
Pass Labs INT-250 high-current integrated amp Demo, new condition, about one month old, three years transferable factory warranty, all factory accessories, now in used boxing, (new factory boxing available for a nominal fee with amp purchase). Satisfaction Guaranteed, S/N 35741. $8995.
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Well, there's another great deal I'll miss out on. Just don't have the money yet. It'll still be a few months. Dang!! Thanks for the heads up anyway, Brian.


Tom
 
Jack said:
The Pass would have let you cut down on your heat bill in the Winter too.
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We live in Iowa. Our listening room/family room/music room/recording studio is downstairs. It's all the same room. We don't usually heat it except when we're using the (small) wood burning stove. So, it can get a little chilly until we fire up the stove, which is actually fairly often...especially when colder days come our way. Maybe an INT 250 would help in heating the downstairs? Half kidding. We do have baseboard heat downstairs but we only use it to heat the room until the stove gets things toasty. The only problem is the INT 250 is a rather expensive space heater. :D
 
I still think your best bet is the Luxman, but another option on the warmer side like Luxman would be Audia Flight. The FL Three S is a very good piece but finding a dealer would take some research. It doesn't have a "heat" problem.
 
Don’t you own the Harbeth ? Luxman or Accuphase would be better fit.


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Paul

I don't think he's going to be swimming in the Accuphase pool. Didn't you have good luck with Harbeth and LFD?
 
Jack. The LFD NCSE II was amazing. I really enjoyed it. But most people find they are too fugly. It’s most underrated amp. They are really simple circuit and pure musical sound.


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I don't think they are fugly and Jeff at Tone just did a rave review of the newest version. Hard to find and pricey new for the power output.
 
Sounds like the int 250 has some detractors (heat, styling, etc.). For me the Luxman 509x is still very much in the running. Same with Accuphase. But, almost without exception, the reviews of the Pass Labs int 250 are very highly and consistently positive. Styling and heat are the only negative comments I've read. Our music room, being downstairs, is always cool. So that's not a factor in my decision and I happen to like the art deco-ish styling.

But I would really like to hear how it stacks up with integrated amps in a similar price range. Other amps I'm considering include...NAIM Supernait 3 (due out this month), Simaudio/Moon 700i v2, Simaudio/Moon 340ix, Hegel H590, Audio Research VSi75, and Rogue Audio. I've even thought about the McIntosh MA 9000 but heard it doesn't pair well with Harbeth.

Anyway, it's fun to research it but it's overwhelming at the same time. Just when I've settled on a first choice for my new amp I read about something else that fits what I'm looking for almost exactly. But, at this very moment, the int 250 really has my attention.

I do agree with a poster on the Audiogon forum that heat, over a period of time, can take it's toll on electronic components. And it sounds like the int 250 does put out some heat. However, a lot of amps put out considerable heat (some more than others) and I just don't read much about heat damage to electrical components in audio amps unless they're heavily used for decades. I'm sure that there is some but evidently it's not a big factor.

Anyway, I'd like to hear more about the int 250. I'd especially be interested in any comparison of the Pass Labs int 250 and the Hegel H590. Don't forget, I have Harbeth speakers. Thanks guys. Keep the discussion going. I really appreciate the info.
 
I have the INT-250 and am very pleased with it. I'm afraid I can't offer much other than agree with the glowing reviews you have read. I have mine paired with B&W 803D2's, so can't speak to how it sounds with Harbeths. And I haven't heard any of the other integrateds you are considering. It displaced an Ayre AX-5 Twenty.

I don't think you should let the heat issue be a deterrent, especially given your description of your listening room. I have mine in a wood cabinet that is open on front and back and has a couple inches on either side and maybe four inches above. I do have two small fans mounted in the back to continuously draw air through. The amp never gets so hot that I can't keep my hand on it. Nor is the heat so intense that I can feel any warmth on the outside of the cabinet or on the top of the shelf above it. Personally, I'm not buying the argument you cited (and which I had seen) that the heat will cause degradation of the amp over time. Frankly, I trust Pass Labs enough to think they wouldn't bring a self-destructing design to market. When I had asked them about this very point, they said that the heatsinks are designed to dissipate the the levels of heat produced.

Couple other things you might want to consider -- After-sale manufacturer support is exceptional. Have a question or concern? Give them a call. They'll have an answer or get back to you with one. Also, not only is service (should it be required) done in the US, it's done where they assemble them.

Finally, if you do decide to consider getting the INT-250, keep in mind that Mike is an AD. He took good care of me when I bought mine.
 
Thanks, aardvarkbark. Good info. Wow, you replaced an Ayre AX 5 Twenty with your int 250? That Pass must be really good. I've heard lots of positive comments about the Ayre. Quick question...What's an AD?
 
I also have pass int-250. Yes it gets warm some, but not much worse than others. I think hit issues are with pass class A monsters. In my system pass int-250 replaced luxman 509x. Pass is more natural with deeper bass and large 3d soundstage.
On a moderate to higher levels, pass int-250 is more relaxed and natural were luxman is strained and hifi/mechanical.
My speakers ate Sonus Faber Amati Traditions. Mike is the magician who will help a dream to come thru.
 
Why your not considering the 590AXII is beyond me. There are several people on this page and on AA that had the 509X and replaced it with the warmer/more musical 590AXII. (Which is also slightly CHEAPER) Keep doing your homework...and by all means ask Mike...just don't give him an Ulcer :)
 
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Billion$Baby said:
Why your not considering the 590AXII is beyond me. There are several people on this page and on AA that had the 509X and replaced it with the warmer/more musical 590AXII. (Which is also slightly CHEAPER) Keep doing your homework...and by all means ask Mike...just don't give him an Ulcer :)
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Too late. I already ordered him a 590 to audition when he’s here.


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Mike said:
Too late. I already ordered him a 590 to audition when he’s here.


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And, man, I can't wait. Right now the 590axii is one of my top three picks. I was originally concerned about the 590axii having the necessary horses, especially during transient peaks at higher volume levels. But I read that Luxman is very conservative with their power specs and the actual output is more like 90 wpc x 2 into 8 ohms. Add to that, Harbeth speakers are 6 ohms vs the usual 8 ohms which will up the power slightly more. Taking all that into consideration the 590axii is somewhere between 100 wpc to maybe as much as 120 wpc. Should be plenty, although I still have to admit I'd like the 590axii even more if was closer to 250 wpc. But that's certainly not a deal breaker. I hear so many superlative laced testimonies on the sound of the 590axii it's hard to ignore it. Yep, I'm very anxious to hear one.
 
bluegrassphile said:
Thanks, aardvarkbark. Good info. Wow, you replaced an Ayre AX 5 Twenty with your int 250? That Pass must be really good. I've heard lots of positive comments about the Ayre. Quick question...What's an AD?
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Authorized Dealer (though in this case, Awesome Dude would also apply).


myjazz123 said:
...Pass is more natural with deeper bass and large 3d soundstage.
On a moderate to higher levels, pass int-250 is more relaxed and natural...Mike is the magician who will help a dream to come thru.
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I concur with all of this.


So, OP -- are you heading down to audition the Luxman? Will you get to compare it to PASS and Gryphon? That should be a fun day, if so.
 
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