Pass INT-25 better than Wilsenton R8?

well, the tubed r8 may be a great amp for the money... but within its (generous) power envelope, the xa25 is a great amp, period, with no qualifications...

I'm wondering if I get the XA-25 and use my Belles Aria Integrated's pre- out into the XA-25...if that will sound as good as the INT-25.

I have had several PL products over the last few years, INT-60, INT-250, and the INT-25. To me the PL pieces sound better if you leave them on 24 hours a day.

Of the three mentioned, the INT-60 sounded the best. All were used with the same speakers, wires, etc.

I have an R8. I’ve been in audio for 30 years. I’ve never had better sound. I’m driving Martin Logan Spires. I have all the headroom I need. Do I feel the need to sample anything else? Absolutely not. I’m very content. Vinyl is sublime. I have the luxury of sampling any tubes I choose. I go back in forth between the Svetlana Winged C EL34’s and the Tung Sol 6550’s. Bass is remarkable with the Tungsol’s . The Svetlana’s offer the finest Midrange. It’s a very plug and play amp that’s musical right out of the box. No 5 month break in period. The Pass won’t allow you to do that. $5k better? Absolutely not. And you can’t expect to go from a tube integrated to a SS amp and obtain sound worth comparing. All my opinion only. Good luck!

Why no love for the R800i?