Short List of Amps I prefer over the Pass Labs XA25 or INT 25

@atmasphere

I already know you are comfortable with having a civil discussion when it comes to nuanced technical topics.  My disclaimer (that I like tubes) was meant for those who read only the convenient parts.

Best,

E

Agreed. Discussion fosters new insights and I welcome differing
viewpoints. Life would be very dull otherwise.

FYI-You may have heard but loss of sense of taste or smell
can be early Covid symptoms.Tequila will snuff it out though.

Stay Well!

I have owned a couple of a Pass amps (including an INT-60, which a friend now has) and I still own a couple of First Watt amps.  I have also built two Amp Camp Amps (ACA), which are designed by Nelson Pass.  I respect Mr. Pass for his “different/subjective” approach.  The reason is didn’t keep the Pass amps was due to size and heat, they are big and hot.  Large Class A designs just don’t work well for me.  Nothing against the sound.

With that said, I have found a few amps that have a similar sound to Pass that I prefer:

• Nagra Classic INT
  
• Naim SuperNAIT
  
• Gryphon Diablo 300
  

The Nagra is refined with lots of air and ambient texture.

The Naim is smooth, organic and lush.

The Gryphon is dynamic, fast and detailed.  This amp, like the Pass, is big and hot, and those side fins can bite when it is moved.

The speakers and room, as always, play an extremely important roll.

@chorus : What speakers are you planning to use?

The Gryphon is dynamic, fast and detailed.

And to mention, they can drive any hard to drive speaker to it’s best, especially when the speaker loads dip below <4ohms, unlike anything else mentioned so far on this thread, except the D'Agostino.

Cheers George

Allin,

My speakers are older Tannoy FSMs.
Sideways picture in my logo. Circa 1985-90.
Rated 94 sensitivity. Run at 4 ohm.

Room is midsized and treated well.

I am not sure if those three models
can be had used at my $5k budget.

Pretend we are on House Hunters.
Which one can we eliminate???
The Nagra can go as I buy no Swiss
products. Personal thing. Naim is a possible.
The Supernait gets good ink. Love to hear 
it in my system.