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.

I have never heard a pass product in my own system but I do have the lux550 mark II. I have tried it with three solid but different speakers. IMO the lux balances best with high efficiency vintage klipsch, which take advantage of the dynamic capabilities of the Luxman and are rolled off on top. My experience is that the Luxman is absolutely fantastic, incredible resolution and dynamics, but tends to accentuate brightness in your speakers if present.  

If you can’t hear them side by side, check out Steve guttenberg review of the Luxman 95th anniversary something or other where he compares it to pass separates. He describes the pass as being warmer, rounder, and less exciting but still pretty, basically. 

Perhaps you should just buy a Pass integrated (int25 would be my suggestion considering your efficient speakers) and sell the one you don’t like. Alternatively try the Luxman tube integrated or separates  they are supposedly fantastic  

But my real suggestion is, you will realize a much much bigger difference by changing your speakers and sticking with the amp that suits your lifestyle, rather than messing about with sources and electronics. If you want meat on bones and high efficiency, check out the Devore orangutan line. You can get used o/93s for less than any of these fancy amps you are talking about here… and in addition if you swap speakers after swapping amps, you may find the new speakers call for a different amp anyway, and then you will be back at square 1. Pick speakers first then match electronics second, is my opinion. 

*^on reading again, I meant of the three speakers I have used it with the Luxman complemented high efficiency, rolled off sound of vintage klipsch versus more traditional British monitors

Luxman. In my opinion more bang for the buck. I have the L-507uX mark ii, discontinued,  paired with Tannoy Gold Reference Sterlings. Beautiful Amp beautiful speakers  and sound. 

I think as we all know & many here said before, the amp / speaker pairing is critical both in terms of efficiency / power needs, actual speaker impedance & of course, your taste. I've owned a Luxman integrated amp before, enjoyed & appreciated tits sound &  build quality. I recently bought a Rogers High Fidelity EFH 200 Mark II tube integrated amp & love it! Very powerful but also has great detail, nuance, depth & seemingly very high build quality handmade in MA. Roger's products are pricey but I think still a good value for you get along w/ a lifetime warranty. If you can try one, it might be just what you're looking for. I think they have a 30 day trial period as well.