Need highly transparent detailed amp---how does Pass XA25 compare to Gamut D100/D200 MKIII

kairosman ---funny you should mention the Kinki integrated.  I looked into it (and still consider it for a secondary system).  I don't like active preamps though (nor passive I guess---source direct only for me).   I've been considering trading in toward the one listed on TMR.  And I think you're right about no one here having compared the two directly.  Sounds like the Gamuts might be more what I'm looking for though the Pass reviews are all so glowing.  


And at $15000, the Simaudio is about 80% more than I can afford.  I won't even look up the reviews so as not to torture myself.  


Thanks to all who contributed

Having heard both extensively & i'm also a gamut owner in one my setups. So it goes without saying that my vote is for a gamut esp since you have suggested with what you want.
All the best.
Cheers

I have had Gamut more than once integrated and D200i.
Sound is good but lack the transparency that my ears need. I tried several speakers to my ears they only sounds good with Gamut speakers.
I would suggest Gato audio with you want Danish mofets output design signature.
Excellent look and sounding.
Regards 

dorby

Unfortunately I have never listened to the Chord. But you can save yourself some money with the 680, as the 780 I have I purchased as a demo for same price as new 680. They sound very similar. 

Giving up on the SET amps. I don't want to replace another expensive tube and the heat from 805 tubes is a warm weather deal breaker. Considering the Pass XA25

@lcherepkai  That's a big leap. The heat of tube amplifiers comes mostly from the class of operation. In this regard a solid state amp will make about 90% of the same heat if operating in the same class. SETs are class A, and so are many of the Pass Labs amps. That's how they get the sound that they do. I am curious- there are tube amps out there that might be easier to live with than an 805-based SET, which would sound better and make more power (and may well make less heat, since SETs are inefficient in this regard). Why the big leap to solid state? If the heat is such a big deal, have you considered class D?