Hi David. I'm still waiting on delivery of those dacs to audition. I'm hoping at least one arrives before I take off June 1 for a couple of months.
But I did have the chance to audition the Pass Labs INT 25 in my system. As many know, this is a highly touted integrated that some believe, with the right speakers, can deliver audio-nervosa-curing sound. Steve Huff, who said he would never get rid of this VR L2i-SE actually did sell it after deciding the INT 25 was his new desert island amp (driving the Heresy IV's). Not to make a long story of a short audition, the INT 25 sounded terrible with the Nenuphar's. I would go so far as to say it sounded broken. The bass was only there at higher volumes, the mid range was dead flat and, worst of all, the high end sounded metallic and completely airless. Ouch. I had done a little homework about the INT 25's specs and although I failed to locate its output impedance, I did find an interview with Nelson Pass where he said it had low output impedance, which sounded hopeful. But it does have a unique form of feedback (which I don't understand) that might be the culprit. The one positive thing I can say about the amp is that you could hear its much admired detail. Horses for courses, since I don't doubt this is a wonderful, even magic amp with the right speakers.
But another amp I am curious about, which might be a better technical match, is the 50w Gryphon Essence. I have zero qualms with my VR L2i-SE (especially with the new LinLai 2A3 tubes) but I am always curious.
But I did have the chance to audition the Pass Labs INT 25 in my system. As many know, this is a highly touted integrated that some believe, with the right speakers, can deliver audio-nervosa-curing sound. Steve Huff, who said he would never get rid of this VR L2i-SE actually did sell it after deciding the INT 25 was his new desert island amp (driving the Heresy IV's). Not to make a long story of a short audition, the INT 25 sounded terrible with the Nenuphar's. I would go so far as to say it sounded broken. The bass was only there at higher volumes, the mid range was dead flat and, worst of all, the high end sounded metallic and completely airless. Ouch. I had done a little homework about the INT 25's specs and although I failed to locate its output impedance, I did find an interview with Nelson Pass where he said it had low output impedance, which sounded hopeful. But it does have a unique form of feedback (which I don't understand) that might be the culprit. The one positive thing I can say about the amp is that you could hear its much admired detail. Horses for courses, since I don't doubt this is a wonderful, even magic amp with the right speakers.
But another amp I am curious about, which might be a better technical match, is the 50w Gryphon Essence. I have zero qualms with my VR L2i-SE (especially with the new LinLai 2A3 tubes) but I am always curious.