Integrated Amplifiers - Luxman vs Pass Labs

Audio shows don’t tell you much, different room, different speakers. Nevertheless, they will still give you a rough idea.

I don’t know about Pass Labs. I did shortlist the INT60 for my Marten Duke 2 but got the Luxman L-590AXII instead. Initially I was having problems with the Naim / Luxman pairing (the combination sounded unnatural and a bit bright at the top) so that forced the investigation of a new amp. When the Luxman L-590AXII got into the system, everything sounded just right. There is a certain rightness to the sound as music just flows out beautifully from the speakers and with ease. Personally I find the Luxman an engaging amp, neutral with very low coloration.

I understand you currently have the L-550axii and Marten Django L. I think most here have given good advice. It is best if you can listen to both Pass and Luxman in your system with the Django L but that’s not always possible. Nevertheless, I believe you will be going forward rather than backward if you pick the 590AXII. As for the Pass Labs, nobody knows at the moment.

Since Hgeifman and Erik Squires have mentioned, I might just add a little here. It’s good to note that 2 persons who have made the comparison prefer the Luxman to the Pass Labs.

Although I did not have the opportunity to listen to a Pass Labs, the Luxman, to me is a splendid amp. In my case the L-590AXII. I truly believe it’s my endgame amp, the final destination so to speak. Although I may not have the privilege of trying everything out there (who does anyway), I’ve stopped searching already. Once you get the gear right, it will be out of the way as the music takes over.

Good luck with whatever you end up with, the Pass Labs, Luxman or something else. In the end, it’s the music that matters.

4) Do you find the sound to be veiled in anyway?

this is the kicker question. Here is where the Pass sound really shines for me. Transparency. I have never heard an amplifier bring absolute stunning transparency to the scene as Pass. It is spooky! how transparent Pass amps can be. Literally, hearing new details and delicacy in music I’ve heard a thousand times before. When I heard that …and felt it….I knew these amps were special beasts.

@tj-sully

I appreciate that the above impressions are based on the Pass Labs XA60.8 mono blocks and a Pass Labs XP-12 preamp. Nevertheless, these are separates and not the integrated that the OP is asking.

Steve Huff has compared the Pass Labs INT250 and INT25(which he owned for a period of time) to the Luxman L-590AXII. Transparency to me represents detail, and the Luxman is said to sound more detailed than both Pass units.

Reviews in the links below with their respective excerpts;

Pass Labs INT-250 Review

"Luxman 590 AXII – Sweet, a little leaner than the Pass Labs with more detail so this is more for those who crave sharpness and detail over warmth and liquidity. Class A 30 watts but what it lacks in body compared to pass it makes up for in sweetness and dynamics. Made in Japan."

Pass Labs INT-25 Review

"Some may wonder what I think of the INT-25 compared to the Luxman 590AXII which is another beautiful heirloom quality integrated that comes in at around $9000. I could live with either but I would be happier with the Pass with my current speakers. The Luxman is more detailed, and has a thinner mid bass."

In this video, the Luxman L-590AXII is said to be more detailed than Pass Labs INT-250. Both units are in the top 3 list of best integrated amps of all time.

Hi tj-sully. Don’t get me wrong. Of course you are entitled to provide your experience on the Pass Labs amp which you own. I’m just providing information on the comparison between the Pass Labs and Luxman in response to the remark which you made about the transparency of the Pass. The reviews and YouTube video are perfectly valid as they are specific to this thread. The reviewer has compared both Luxman and Pass Labs integrateds while both of us only have experience with either one. Although useful impressions, it’s pretty much a one-sided affair.