2. amps-preamps
  3. 192936-1301

Pass INT-25, split decision and maybe option?

I recently bought a used INT-25 to drive my PureAudioProject Trio15Classic. I have never been so torn by an amp as by this one! On one hand the details are addictive, but on the other hand, the details can be so distractive that I struggle to listen to the music. The INT-25 does do space really well and that’s definitely something I love and look for in an amp. I do miss some of the midrange magic and the warmth that a tube amp brings as well.

 

At this point, I’m not sure the INT-25 is going to stay. There’s so many things I love about it, but other things that distracts me from listening to the actual music.

 

I also miss some of the warmth that tubes bring. Is there such a thing as an integrated tube (or hybrid) that retains all the strength of the INT-25, but adds the midrange magic and warmth of the tube amp? Don’t mind if I lose some of the distracting details in the recording, but don’t want to give up too much of that. The PAP's do like a bit of power (the INT-25 is definitely sufficient), so low power SET's are not likely where I'd go.

128x128audiojan
jetter
3,050 posts
 

The necessity to have a dealer or technician bias tubes in the Audio Research I-50 is a large negative to some of us.

audiojan's avatar
audiojan OP
414 posts
 

I may have discovered why this INT-25 is not working well... to get to a volume that's about conversational, I need to turn the volume up to 50 (the volume goes to 63). I borrowed a new INT-25 from my local dealer (their tech is out, otherwise he could've looked at it) and on that unit at about 30 it was quite a bit louder than conversational.

 

Could it be that I simply struggle with the amp because of a gain issue?!

tonnesen
142 posts
 

Yes, there must be something wrong with your amp.  The sound should be extremely loud at 50 on the INT-25 with PAP Trio speakers.  I'm curious to hear what the tech says when they look at it.  

bjesien
1,334 posts
 

Sounds like an amp issue. Did you even control the volume from your dac or via Roon or something is turned way down (DSP)?

The impedance curve is a range, like a set of stairs that the amp had to walk constantly. Nominal doesn’t mean much for a speaker load especially when talking lower powered tube amps.

You are making progress

audiojan's avatar
audiojan OP
414 posts
 

Volume is set as fixed for the AirLens (and in Roon) and the PS Audio DirectStream is set as fixed, high, 96 (which is max). Everything is at full blast into the amp, yet at almost full output of the INT-25 is barely above conversational level.

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