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Integrated Amplifiers - Luxman vs Pass Labs

Hello All,

 

This is my first post here at Audiogon.

My current amplifier is the Luxman L-550axii and my speakers are the Marten Django L and Coherent Audio 15 (coaxial speakers with 15" woofer and high efficiency of approximately 98db).

I'm contemplating making a move with my integrated.  I'm considering the Luxman 590axii or one of the current Pass Labs Integrated's.  I haven't had a chance to listen to the 590 and I've never listened to a Pass product before and the opportunity just doesn't present itself to be able to demo any at a dealer's or in-home.  

I'm hoping those that have heard both the Luxman and any current Pass Integrated could chime in with their thoughts about them and the direction you would go given my speakers. 

In the future, I may look at replacing the Coherent speakers with Audio Note AN-J or AN-E.  Any experience out there with Luxman or Pass Labs and Audio Note speakers??

Thank you to all who chime in with your experience and thoughts!

me_ohmy
erik_squires
16,046 posts
 

I own a 507ux, and heard lots of Pass and the 509ux as well. The two are in no way the same amp.  Full stop.  Before you switch to Pass you must listen for yourself.  You will come away with one of two opinions:

 

  1. You'll think Pass is incredible
  2. You can't imagine leaving Luxman.

 

I personally do not like Pass.  I find it lean at best, and scratchy at worst.  Like it pulls my ears.  I like a lot of Class D amps more than I like Pass designs. However, I recognize I am very much in the minority here, and I don't know which camp you'll fall into but I absolutely do not recommend switching "blind" here.

If you do get to listen though another brand to consider is Ayre.  Also a different sounding amp from both Luxman and Pass.

My point, BTW, is definitely not to convince you that I'm right and others are wrong, just that these amps sound so dissimilar to my ears I can't suggest you personally switch without listening.

erik_squires
16,046 posts
 

P.S.. - From what I've gleaned talking to A'goners, who were able to be more objective about Pass than most, they are pretty speaker dependent. They sounded really good with some speakers, especially big fat speakers like Tannoy's and JBL studio monitors.  Keep this in mind while auditioning or asking for recommendations.

me_ohmy OP
5 posts
 

Interesting that you find Pass to be 'lean'.  From all my reading of Pass and their lower end heft, I would have thought it provides a bigger, fuller body to music; which is to my liking. I guess that's why being able to listen for oneself is so important. It's unfortunate that is not an option for me in my location, without purchasing.

Good to know from those objective and in the know that Pass are pretty speaker dependent. It sounds like my Coherent speakers may be a better fit for Pass than my Marten's as they are somewhat similar to the Tannoy's. 

 

Can anyone tell me the differences between the Luxman 550axii vs 590axii

I really like the 550 however I wish for an even fuller sound. This is why I am contemplating either moving up to 590 or Pass Labs.  Will the 590 provide a noticeable upgrade in this regard? 

 

Erik:  Does the Ayre provide a bigger, fuller presentation than Luxman?

 

lucky_doggg7
120 posts
 


A fella is selling his Pass Labs Int-250 Integrated for a fairly reasonable $8,500 dollars on U.S. Audio Mart. This thing cranks; it’ll make 500 wpc into 4 ohms. Like all other Pass AB amps, it is biased in Class A for something like the first 20 or 30 watts, then it becomes an AB amp. This is a good one! Here it is:

chorus
976 posts
 

I own the Pass INT25 and use Tannoy 15" dual concentrics.

Your speakers I have not heard but they sound very similar.

I have an older Luxman Receiver in use in my office and

I like that as well. I do not see the differences that others

mentioned here. 

I have heard Luxman INTs recently at $5k and at $10k.

In my mind they sounded excellent. Of course they were in well

setup rooms with excellent speakers. 

You can buy Pass gear with a trial period from Reno Hi-Fi. 

You do not mention a specific goal so I assume it

is overall next notch up for SQ?

Have you considered a Tube INT? 

That would produce a different sound

and since you like the soft, big sound 

you might really be happy with a tube INT.

The one I have my eye on in the new ARC I-50

at $5k. I am waiting for my mentor to listen to it

and advise me his thoughts.

Post more in the future. I like your system!

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