Pass Labs X250.8 or MC452 ?

Jump on the PASS 250.8 asap!!

Browdt, really the best in that price class? What a ridiculous statement.

Pass Labs are very good amplifiers, if you check the thread on Coda amplifiers, the new Coda 8 Series Stereo was compared to a pair of $14k Pass Labs Mono blocks and found to be in the same class, actually I think TJ liked the Coda better, a brand new Coda  Series 8 is $6,500 and is 150 watts but can be biased  lower and the power will increase to 400watts but with less power in Class A. The  Point 8 is based on the same amplifier stage in the Coda Csib amplfier and both amplfiers use a 3k transformer so you have a lot of juice on tap.

Then there are amplifiers from Ayre, Hegel, Krell, Levinson, Sim Audio, Anthem and about a zillion more.

What matters is system synergy, last time I heard a pair of 10T they sounded a bit on the dark side, sold them at Sound by Singer in NYC, if the new amp is a bit too warm vs the ARC, then the OP might have a system which is a step backwards in overall sound quality.

Pass Labs amplifiers are very fine amplifiers but they do have a distinct tonal balance and what works in EBM’s system or Bronwdt’s might not work the same way with the OP’s.

We sell many different brands of amplifiers and they all sound different and work better or worse with certain pairings.

The 400 watt Anthem STR is a fantastic amplifier for the money and the OP can get it brand new for less money than a used Pass, if you don't think the STR is a world class amp read the reviews on it. 

We are waiting for our Coda Series 8 and we will compare it with the brand new Krell 300XD which we just put out and the Krell is really spectatcular sounding by the way!

Dave and Troy
Audio Doctor NJ Parasound, Krell, Electrocompaniet, T+A, Anthem dealers

pianosteve22, Your ARC LS 25MK II will work just fine with probably any of the amps mentioned above. I had a LS 25MK II at home I as demoing and used it on several amps including my Pass.