Pass INT-25 better than Wilsenton R8?

I have both the R8 and a new  INT25 hooked up in the same space and getting a better soundstage than R8 but will keep going back n forth and spend time listening to the changes over the first 0-300 hours. Connected to a pair of Dynaudio HS’s and have my original Tekton Impact Monitors nearby 

I have a similar amp to the R-8 (Cayin CS-55a), I found it sounds much better with the KT-88 tubes. I am using Gold Lions right now. The sound is much more clear and detailed than with the EL34.

I had the amp-only version, Pass XA-25, driving a 97db efficient speakers. There were certainly remarkable things about the amp, most notably imaging. But when I pushed it a bit I could hear distortion. It might have been clipping, but probably from when it went into AB mode. I couldn't live with it. 

@travisg EL34 tubed amps can sound plush compared to a clean/transparent sounding solid state amplifier. Each with its own sound signature and type of presentation.

One other factor you’ll read about is people leaving their pass amps powered on anywhere from 4,8, to ~24hrs before doing any critical listening. Varying debates.

24hrs: Have you tried listening after your INT-25 has been powered on for a full twenty four hours, transformer, all toasty inside? Smoother sounding then?

@nayls02 Thank you for that most excellent response.  You certainly know the INT-25 and XA25 inside and out.  I have thought of buying one or the other for awhile now.  Time will tell.  Have a great day.