Integrated Amplifiers - Luxman vs Pass Labs

P.S.. - From what I've gleaned talking to A'goners, who were able to be more objective about Pass than most, they are pretty speaker dependent. They sounded really good with some speakers, especially big fat speakers like Tannoy's and JBL studio monitors.  Keep this in mind while auditioning or asking for recommendations.

Interesting that you find Pass to be 'lean'.  From all my reading of Pass and their lower end heft, I would have thought it provides a bigger, fuller body to music; which is to my liking. I guess that's why being able to listen for oneself is so important. It's unfortunate that is not an option for me in my location, without purchasing.

Good to know from those objective and in the know that Pass are pretty speaker dependent. It sounds like my Coherent speakers may be a better fit for Pass than my Marten's as they are somewhat similar to the Tannoy's. 

Can anyone tell me the differences between the Luxman 550axii vs 590axii

I really like the 550 however I wish for an even fuller sound. This is why I am contemplating either moving up to 590 or Pass Labs.  Will the 590 provide a noticeable upgrade in this regard? 

Erik:  Does the Ayre provide a bigger, fuller presentation than Luxman?

A fella is selling his Pass Labs Int-250 Integrated for a fairly reasonable $8,500 dollars on U.S. Audio Mart. This thing cranks; it’ll make 500 wpc into 4 ohms. Like all other Pass AB amps, it is biased in Class A for something like the first 20 or 30 watts, then it becomes an AB amp. This is a good one! Here it is:

I own the Pass INT25 and use Tannoy 15" dual concentrics.

Your speakers I have not heard but they sound very similar.

I have an older Luxman Receiver in use in my office and

I like that as well. I do not see the differences that others

mentioned here. 

I have heard Luxman INTs recently at $5k and at $10k.

In my mind they sounded excellent. Of course they were in well

setup rooms with excellent speakers. 

You can buy Pass gear with a trial period from Reno Hi-Fi. 

You do not mention a specific goal so I assume it

is overall next notch up for SQ?

Have you considered a Tube INT? 

That would produce a different sound

and since you like the soft, big sound 

you might really be happy with a tube INT.

The one I have my eye on in the new ARC I-50

at $5k. I am waiting for my mentor to listen to it

and advise me his thoughts.

Post more in the future. I like your system!

Hi Chorus, thank you for your post.

For the past couple of years I've had the pleasure of a nice 2A3 amp/preamp setup which I absolutely loved with my high efficient Coherent's but I'm moving away from that.  I found that I was constantly worrying about the usual downsides to tube gear such as potential tube failure and degradation etc...  It got to the point where I wasn't able to enjoy the music the way I should have been and found myself listening more out of my SS amp because of it.

I guess I'm trying to re-create as much as possible the sound I was getting from my tube gear - big, detailed yet relaxing, present (in the room) sound without harshness. I would say that my current Luxman has gotten me the closest thus far to that sound but I'm hoping for a bit more body or fullness and a touch more warmth (bottom end maybe??).

How would you describe the sound you are getting from your Pass INT25 and Tannoy's?

How would you describe the differences between the Pass and Luxman gear you've had the opportunity to listen to?