Pass INT-25 better than Wilsenton R8?

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.

Not only the Pass amp needs around 200hrs of break in, it also needs at least 1hr of warm up every time you turn it on to do some listening.
Give it a chance. Don’t think about trying to hear a $5,000 improvement. Just enjoy the music and you’ll be able to pick out subtle details and qualities you haven’t heard before. The refinements don’t always jump at you right away. 
Good luck!
 

When I bought my XA25, I was instructed to leave it on for 5 days playing music through it.  It does sound better if left on all the time.  The instructions say warm it up for 1 hour.  As long as the amp is in Class A, this amp sounds great.

This is my end game amp.