Pls help me decide Pass Labs X250.8 or Luxman M900u

With my Thiel CS3,7, a speaker that went down to 2 Ohm a lot, my Benchmark AHB2 did not have a very propulsive or powerful sound with dynamic music. It sounded great with slower stuff.

With a CODA #8, KRELL Duo 175XD, Parasound A21+ the sound was explosive with the same music that was not so great with the AHB2.

Another amp that will drive hard load and is rather good for a low price is the Peachtree GAN400.

Saying all of that I have another AHB2 on its way next week.

The CODA #16 is an amp I would recommend if you like Luxman and PASS. I moved up from the #8 to the #16. It doubles from 150 | 300 | 600 @ 8 | 4 | 2. 

@yyzsantabarbara can totally see it with benchmark ahb2. 
it’s dimensions are 11.04" W x 3.88" H x 9.34 " D - Including feet and binding posts

and it weighs 12.5lbs

The power transformer in my XA30.8 was bigger than this entire amp.

Think quality vs. quantity and this is a case in point. 

Had an X250.5, not the .8 and a M800A, not the 900. Both smooth, the Luxman like butter on a hot day.  But, overall (broad brush) it was too smooth and if choosing again for my gear, the Pass would be the choice of the two.

Presently using a Coda 8 and prefer it over all 30 other amps I have used in almost 20 years. I'd get a Coda16 if I could swing it.

Best of luck.

I hardly contribute because of all the negative responses, so I hope I don't regret this.

My experience was with Pass amplifiers, all driving a pair of Wilson Watt Puppy 5.1 speakers - which present a very difficult load, are very efficient and reveal everything upstream. 

One caveat, 3D imaging with a wide, deep and natural soundstage is everything to me. Bass is great but not nearly as impressive or important to me.

- XA-30.5 - amazing imaging, bass was it's weak point but by no means objectionable.

- X - 250.5 - strong bass, what others define as a fast amplifier. Poor imaging in comparison. Both amp's are highly resolving.

- XA-200.5's - had these connected to Sasha I's before going back to the 5.1's. Anyone who hears the system is amazed. Bass is still the weak point but nothing like the difference of the 30.5 amplifier, and the 250.5 still has noticeable better bass - but only when making a direct A/B comparison. Otherwise I never heard anyone complain or even make a comment about the bass because everything is so well integrated.

It's the closest I've heard (with a few exceptions) of being at a live performance (with great recordings of course).

Of what I heard, the X.8 series (I heard the 350.8) has much better imaging than the .5 series but still not the XA series equivalent.

This based on experience.

I never heard a Luxman amplifier. I've heard Gryphon, Constellation and a few other "exotic" brands I expected to be better than what I had. My audiophile associates told me they preferred my system (prior to me making any comments) for it's life-likeness.

Please - I'm not trying to boast as I could care what anyone else thinks. I stive to enjoy the illusion of a live performance in my home. I normally invite anyone in the central NJ area to stop by for to enjoy music for themselves but at this time my system is not operating because my wife serviced me with divorce, and I'm uncertain how things will be settled and my system is currently being dismantled for either storage or sale.

Best, TJF

@tjassoc Very interesting stuff and perspective and hope you post more often.  I’m in North Jersey and going through a similar situation so I sympathize greatly.  Best of luck with everything.  If/when we both get our systems back up and running maybe we can trade some good listening sessions.