I have owned a couple of Bryston amps (a 4B SST and a 4B3) and did a week-long audition of the Pass 250.8. So here are one person’s reactions.
The Brystons run cool, and the Pass amps run hot -- I mean physically, not in terms of sound. If your listening room can get too hot, be careful about buying a Pass amp. I understand the X.5 amps throw off a little less heat than the X.8 amp I auditioned.
The Bryston 14B SST was my favorite amp ever. I just loved it. I thought it had great bass control, almost unlimited power, and an overall neutral sound, without softening things.
I auditioned the Pass X250.8 much later in my audio life, so I could not really compare the two. I thought the amp was very beautiful. Indeed, I thought it might be more beautiful than reality, in the same way some ECM piano recordings are more beautiful than reality. It was glorious with female vocals -- an audiophile staple -- yet I found it a little too midrange-centric when reproducing an orchestra. One person’s opinion based on one audition.
I don’t know the Levinson at all.
Sounds like you have a fun project ahead. Good luck! Be wary of anyone who tells you that there’s a clear winner in this bunch of amps . . . at this level, a lot of it is a matter of taste.
The Brystons run cool, and the Pass amps run hot -- I mean physically, not in terms of sound. If your listening room can get too hot, be careful about buying a Pass amp. I understand the X.5 amps throw off a little less heat than the X.8 amp I auditioned.
The Bryston 14B SST was my favorite amp ever. I just loved it. I thought it had great bass control, almost unlimited power, and an overall neutral sound, without softening things.
I auditioned the Pass X250.8 much later in my audio life, so I could not really compare the two. I thought the amp was very beautiful. Indeed, I thought it might be more beautiful than reality, in the same way some ECM piano recordings are more beautiful than reality. It was glorious with female vocals -- an audiophile staple -- yet I found it a little too midrange-centric when reproducing an orchestra. One person’s opinion based on one audition.
I don’t know the Levinson at all.
Sounds like you have a fun project ahead. Good luck! Be wary of anyone who tells you that there’s a clear winner in this bunch of amps . . . at this level, a lot of it is a matter of taste.