Pass Labs INT-250

I've been interested in the Pass Labs INT-250 since I saw it in use in one of my favorite rooms at CAS 8.

https://www.passlabs.com/amplifier/int-250



It retails for $12k and there's also a 60wpc version, the INT-60 that goes for $9k. It would be interesting to A/B them and see how they compare.

Anyway, one of the things I noticed about the room that the INT-250 was in was this unmistakably lush and vivid soundstage that was being presented. I've never experienced anything like it, and I've been wondering if it was the gorgeous Dynaudio Contour 60 speakers, or the INT-250 driving them that was contributing to this extremely pleasurable aural sensation. Or maybe a winning combination of them both together.

I just came across this detailed review of the INT-250: http://www.theabsolutesound.com/articles/pass-labs-int-250-integrated-amplifier/

A few things jumped out at me that I'll highlight here:

"In sonic performance, the INT-250 is a thoroughly modern amplifier with effortless dynamics at the micro and macro levels, an ultra-wide bandwidth, superb low-end control and grip, and effortless highs. The orchestral soundstage is as expansive and dimensional as I’ve experienced in a solid-state amplifier—or a tube one, for that matter. Both the Vandersteen Treo CT (reviewed in Issue 262) and the ATC SCM20-2SL, and later, the new B&W 805 D3 (review forthcoming) simply opened up, became less of a localized source, and in many instances virtually disappeared from the listening space. In fact, the Pass is so open and holographically transparent that it encourages the listener to consider getting up and taking a walk through the orchestra—and dispensing some high-fives to the conductor along the way."

"That’s not to say the INT-250 is characterless. Actually it’s the amp’s lush, Falstaffian midrange that overcame my critic’s ear, occasionally freezing my pen midsentence as waves of nostalgia caused me to think back to my earliest experiences with iconic high-end amplifiers such as the ARC D150. (What an amp with the original Magneplanar Tympani 1D!) But its rose-gold signature sound was not due to deviations from accuracy, but rather to the strapping power and fluidity that come from its canny balance of Class A bias and Class AB output. The INT-250 might invite comparisons to tube amps, but only in the sense that, like every Pass amp I’ve heard, there are strong whiffs of the warmth and harmonic bloom of the actual event. But then there was also the very un-tube-like “management and control” aspect that produced explosive bass dynamics and supported images on an unyielding foundation in an impeccably delineated stage."

So, if I am interpreting the reviewer's descriptions correctly, he seems to be touching on some of the same audible sensations that I experienced. Namely the lush quality to the sound, as well as what I perceived as a rich "tube-like" characteristic. Also, it's somewhat amusing to think about having 250wpc on tap but only using a small fraction of that! But, if it's immense power reserves are a contributing factor to it's performance, then I'm all for it.

Anyway, no real point to this post other than to maybe get some discussion started about these Pass Labs integrated amplifiers. I'm not sure I'll ever be be able to afford one, but who knows.