Pass INT-25 better than Wilsenton R8?

@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.  

@travisg 

Many of us, myself included, read the reviews and get caught up in the hype. We expect “wow” moments. Unfortunately, that can make the journey longer towards satisfaction longer. I would forget trying to pick a part different elements of sound quality between the pass and your tube amp. Ask yourself if you are as musically engaged. Do you still get goosebumps moments? If not, I would move on.