Integrated Amplifiers - Luxman vs Pass Labs

The X series isn't rich and full lol. I found it very clinical and it had no midrange magic. This is my experience and I don't care what you think sorry.  I know several who feel the same.  It did a lot of things well but the midrange was boring and almost etchy. 

Hi folks. Great thread. I am pretty new around here but thought I’d chime in….with my experience using Pass Labs XA60.8 mono blocks and a Pass Labs XP-12 preamp. 
 

I do not have experience using a Pass integrated or any experience using the 500 series  Luxman integrated products. 
 

To OP had some specific questions about Pass Labs that I can speak to from my experience in my room. 
 

1)  is one frequency a little more pronounced than the others?

Nope. The sound is balanced across the frequency range.  The lower frequencies (say 30-50Hz) are just as present as the highs and mids.  The lows are clear right and fast, and for some, the sound may seem to emphasize or over express the bass region - but I believe this may be due to the amps ability to perform well in this frequency region. perhaps because the Pass amps are stable down to a single ohm may help in this regard.

2)  what is the soundstage like in terms of width and depth  

in my room with speakers pulled out 7 feet from the wall and 3 feet from the sidewalks, the soundstage is deep and wide - almost 360. .  Sometimes on I turn around thinking someone has opened the door behind me - but it was just the music! Trippy  

3)  How would you describe the sound in terms of Hi-Fi vs Natural sounding

loaded question as this depends on many factors.  But for me, on good recordings, listening to piano and voice helps determine the “naturalness” of the sound.  But again, this is more a system synergy type evaluation.  

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.  
 

saying all this..I agree with a few other comments about the Pass sound that is a bit against popular commentary.   I do not find the Pass sound, in my system, in my room, to be warm and tube-like.  Mayyyyybe…because the midrange is so pure and the top end delicate and clear that that’s why folks are making this comparison - but the overall transparency, I would say, is the dominant sensation where you can literally hear deep into recordings like i never have before.   I’ve never heard tube systems give me this sensation - mind you I haven’t heard $20K tube setups in my room - so perhaps my experience is limited and tube systems really can sound extremely transparent with tight fast bass and stable down to 1 ohm.   Did I just open. Can of worms.? Hahaha 

Good luck in your search. And as many folks have indicated - you can’t go wrong with either.  1st world problems…

peace. 

Ps. I should have mentioned. My Speakers are:

Verity Audio Parsifal Anniversary

Klipsch Cornwall IV

The X series isn't rich and full lol. I found it very clinical and it had no midrange magic.

@samzx12, so you are unequivocally saying all of the Pass X.8 series amps are not rich and full sounding?

e.g.

XA25, XA30.8, XA60.8, XA160.8, XS150, XS300

X150.8, X250.8, X260.8, X350.8, X600.8

You mentioned you had tried their cheapest class AB amp; I didn't know you have listened to the rest of the X.8 line...

I have not heard the XA series and I know they are a different animal.  I didn't say I heard all the X series. Just the X150.8.  I can't imagine the rest of the .8 series is much different or why they would be.  Typically the lower powered amps have a sweeter sound than the higher powered amps.