I auditioned the 509x and, strangely enough, I found it didn’t really grab me as much as some of the other amps I tried...Simaudio 340ix, VAC 700i, Pass int 60, NAIM Supernait 3, Hegel H390, and Gryphon D300. My top two picks out of that bunch (to my ears) were the D300 and Pass Labs int 60. I also really liked the Supernait 3. Another outstanding amp.
ALL of these amps were amazing in their own way (including the 509x). But I liked the Pass Labs int 60 so much (especially through the MSB) I called and talked to Kent at Pass Labs. We visited about the int 60 vs int 250. They have very similar sonic personalities but they're not exactly alike. I’ve not actually auditioned the int 250, but Kent suggested the int 250 vs the int 60 for the type of music I listen to most (bluegrass and small combo jazz) due to the percussive attack of the acoustic instruments in those genres. The int 250 loves percussive music. Furthermore, Kent’s wife is a serious mandolinist so I think Kent knows something about what he’s talking about. Don’t get me wrong...I think the 509x is one of the best integrated amps money can buy. But the int 250 will likely fit my application better. Anyway, that’s my story and I’m sticking to it.
ALL of these amps were amazing in their own way (including the 509x). But I liked the Pass Labs int 60 so much (especially through the MSB) I called and talked to Kent at Pass Labs. We visited about the int 60 vs int 250. They have very similar sonic personalities but they're not exactly alike. I’ve not actually auditioned the int 250, but Kent suggested the int 250 vs the int 60 for the type of music I listen to most (bluegrass and small combo jazz) due to the percussive attack of the acoustic instruments in those genres. The int 250 loves percussive music. Furthermore, Kent’s wife is a serious mandolinist so I think Kent knows something about what he’s talking about. Don’t get me wrong...I think the 509x is one of the best integrated amps money can buy. But the int 250 will likely fit my application better. Anyway, that’s my story and I’m sticking to it.