Pass Labs: integrated vs separates. Has anyone compared?

[tarasman]

Does anyone have first-hand experience comparing the INT-60 or INT-250 to current generation Pass Labs separates? It seems like they've made the pre-amp sections of the new integrateds a little more active in the preamp section and less like a passive compared to the previous int-30 and int-150.

I guess what it really comes down to is, how much would I need to spend on a pre-amp to make an x250.8 sound as good as the INT-250. I'd assume a $400 pre-amp would not reach the same level of fidelity. Would an XP-10 (now replaced) for $3k used connected to an x250.8 sound better than a int-250? Pass tells me their .8 series amps plus an XP-12 will sound better, but that is a LOT more money.

 

[GSOphile]

Does anyone have first-hand experience comparing the INT-60 or INT-250 to current generation Pass Labs separates? It seems like they've made the pre-amp sections of the new integrateds a little more active in the preamp section and less like a passive compared to the previous int-30 and int-150.

I guess what it really comes down to is, how much would I need to spend on a pre-amp to make an x250.8 sound as good as the INT-250. I'd assume a $400 pre-amp would not reach the same level of fidelity. Would an XP-10 (now replaced) for $3k used connected to an x250.8 sound better than a int-250? Pass tells me their .8 series amps plus an XP-12 will sound better, but that is a LOT more money.

When I looked into this some months ago, my impression was that the INT-250's pre-amp section was roughly equivalent to an XP-10, maybe with some refinements since the INT was released several years later. I think you'd have to spend well north of $400 to get a better pre, especially if you value balanced inputs, the packaging, and count the additional expense of cables.

 

[Kuoppis]

I think for the same price the INT-250 is hard to beat. But add a pre for 10K to the X250.8 and SQ takes a jump forward.

Had the INT-60 in my system and ran it both as an integrated and a power amp. With the Ayre KX-5/20 in the chain delivered a more dense and tonally rich outcome.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[GSOphile]

I think you should investigate an X-250.8/XP-12 package deal.

 

[rbbert]

I think you should investigate an X-250.8/XP-12 package deal.

I think it really depends on the rest of your system, your room, and your goals.

 

[GSOphile]

Always good advice (if this hasn't already been done).

 

[hifinutt]

well been mulling over a pass labs integrated , none of them have home theatre bypass so its separates untill then .