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Upgrading form Pass integrated amplifier to a better one

Hello,

Currently I have a PASS INT-250 integrated amplifier . The Pass INT-250 is a very good integrated (in my system it was overall better than Plinius Hiato, Gamut D150se, Mark Levinson 535, Vitus RI-100,  Accuphase E-470 and some others) but I can't get rid of the feeling that I miss some explosiveness (drum kicks for example) and micro details.

I know that its not the speakers. The new Sonus faber tradition I have are much more open, dynamic and airy than previous Guarneri Evos, Elipasas SE and Amati Anniversarious I used to own. And before buying them I auditioned the Serafinos with Audio Research separates and it was the amazing combo. But I really prefer not to go the separates road ( ICs, power cords and space contribute to financial constrains also) and even so I like the combo of Pass and Serafinos overall but from time to time looking for some better integrated on the market.

Currently I presented with a good opportunity to buy latest Gryphon Diablo 300 integrated or latest just released Accuphase E-650.  No possiblilty to demo them, so I am asking here on the forum if anybody can comment if Gryphon Diablo 300 or Accuphase E-650 will be better integrated than Pass INT250 overall and especially in terms of dynamics, micro details and harmonics.

Any advise and opinion would be very appreciated.

My system: Esoteric K-05x, Pass INT-250, Sonus Faber Serafinos, all cabling are the Shunyata Sigmas.

Room is 12" wide by 17" long. Listen mostly acoustic jazz and chamber classical on low to moderate levels.


Thank you.


denon1
denon1 OP
343 posts
 
I demoed Mark Levinson 585 and Vitus RI-100.
My pass int-250 is better than both of those to my ears.
The Levinson was too polite anD Vitus too hi-fi ish sounding, not my thing. The Vitus SIA-025 is the one that checks all boxes,  but lack of US service and low power (with lower efficiency speakers bass may not be his strong attribute) and price steered me away.

Inna, agree with you on theimportance of cables.i happen to learn that cables are should be considered as another important component  of the overall system. Currently all Shunyata sigma power cables and latest alpha speaker cables have been doing a very good job. The Shunyata alpha speaker cables bested my favorite Purist audio Neptune speaker cables that I liked a lot. 
axememan's avatar
axememan
279 posts
 
Yep,with that kind of money US Support would be paramount i'd think

mikexxyz
66 posts
 
Speaking of money. I don’t think you could do better than what you have (Int-250) although I know it's hard to be satisfied in this hobby.
slingshot
55 posts
 
Is the Diablo 300 16K? I sent an email to On A  Higher Note  a month ago and no response. 
inna
7,296 posts
 
Yup. Check out the misc. section of this forum, I posted Gryphon prices there. They did reply next day.
Diablo 300 is $16k, optional phono is $2.2, optional dac is $6k or so, I think.
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