Pass INT-250 for B&W 800's

PennPencil,
You bring up an interesting point about utilizing just the 250.8 amp which I am seriously considering. I only require a digital system so I would have to obtain some level of streamer/dac/preamp with a volume control as a start. This opens up an entirely different thread as to what component would synergize with the Pass? Interestingly, I have noticed many state that these DAC/preamps sound better when a preamp is introduced into the chain. 

I would consider the pass as well as the luxman and accuphase integrated amplifiers but i can tell you that a bipolar amp will be better with b&w speakers but i also can tell you that the b&w speakers are volume limited so huge power may not be required in a normal room i would go with whatever sounds the best to you try and find a dealer in your area to try some of these beast integrated amps.

but i can tell you that a bipolar amp will be better with b&w speakers but i also can tell you that the b&w speakers are volume limited so huge power may not be required in a normal room

So correct, also the bi-polar Gryphon Diablo 300 is not a huge 500watt, it’s 300watt amp similar to the Pass, but it can just do "current delivery" far better into low impedances with combination of -phase angle that the 800’s have better. So it controls better and delivers dynamics better with no strain into those loads. And it sounds typically Gryphon Class-A’ish without the heat penalty.

Cheers George

@jeffreyw

Having heard the Pass 250.8 and INT-250 with the B+W’s several times, both do a very nice job. I should be up front. I do not love the B+W D3’s. I don’t think they are a bad speaker, but just not my favorites (they are very nice etc).

That said, having heard them with several amps (Pass, Moon, McIntosh, Luxman, Classe).

I felt they sounded best with the Classe and Pass (in fairness the store that had the McIntosh gear literally had them in the front showroom with glass EVERYWHERE).

But both the Classe (previous series) and Pass could drive them to very loud levels cleanly and the bass (and I love bass) was really, really good.

(It’s the highs on B+W that I don’t always agree with), but both the Pass and Classe smoothed things out ever so slightly. I own a 250.8 and while it’s currently paired with a XP22, I’ve run it DAC direct also and not had any issues.

My current speakers are Salk SS12’s which are 84db and can play down to 20hz. I listen loud at times and the 250.8 has NO problem driving them.  In fact, it rarely leaves Class A power (the needle on Pass amps indicate you are moving towards A/B power)

This Bi-polar vs mosfet transistor gibberish is a non-issue. The Gryphon, Pass, and many others will drive those without an issue.

Get the one who’s sound signature you feel matches best with your speakers to get you the sound you are looking for.

It doesn’t matter a hill of beans to me if you get a Pass, Gryphon etc... but I wouldn’t rule anything out that you are looking at.

Nice thing with the McIntosh integrated is they have built in EQ, which if you don’t have something like Roon could come in handy for you.

But, if you like Bass, a warmer (or at least not super detailed sound, and with your speakers I would be cautious as that tweeter is revealing). Pass, McIntosh, the Gryphon should all do the trick.

If you go DAC direct, the RME DAC’s are very nice and have all sorts of EQ available also.