2. amps-preamps
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Pass INT-25, split decision and maybe option?

I recently bought a used INT-25 to drive my PureAudioProject Trio15Classic. I have never been so torn by an amp as by this one! On one hand the details are addictive, but on the other hand, the details can be so distractive that I struggle to listen to the music. The INT-25 does do space really well and that’s definitely something I love and look for in an amp. I do miss some of the midrange magic and the warmth that a tube amp brings as well.

 

At this point, I’m not sure the INT-25 is going to stay. There’s so many things I love about it, but other things that distracts me from listening to the actual music.

 

I also miss some of the warmth that tubes bring. Is there such a thing as an integrated tube (or hybrid) that retains all the strength of the INT-25, but adds the midrange magic and warmth of the tube amp? Don’t mind if I lose some of the distracting details in the recording, but don’t want to give up too much of that. The PAP's do like a bit of power (the INT-25 is definitely sufficient), so low power SET's are not likely where I'd go.

128x128audiojan
audiojan's avatar
audiojan OP
421 posts
 

The INT-25 has been returned. It was just not working correctly. I truly tried everything I could think of to make it work, but I'm sure there's something wrong with the gain stage of the amp. With efficient speakers, I shouldn't be able to say in the room with full output of the INT-25, yet I barely hit 90dB at that point. DAC was set at full output (tried both fixed full output at 96, which is max, and variable output which then goes to 100, both set to High output) and nothing... Tried a phono stage (Andover SpinStage) which has an output of 71dB with the Shelter 501 (according to Andover, hence for most applications, I use inline attenuators which I removed for testing of the INT-25), but even with this I couldn't get the volume much more than 90dB at full output.

I spoke to Pass Labs and they're just as stumped as I was as to why it doesn't get loud enough.

 

I also think this is the root cause why I was so indecisive with this amp to start with... loved certain things about it, but it was lacking something. Bet that was the super low gain in the front end of it...

bjesien
1,338 posts
 

Did the shop you borrowed it from have the same problem? Are you going to track down another one to listen to?

decooney
2,186 posts
 

To @audiojan - There are plenty INT-25 units out there running perfectly well. Well tested they are leaving the factory. I live 15 minutes from Pass Labs btw, tons of it around me. Never heard of this kind of failure before, so once they check it out, will be interesting to understand what they find inside. Bad part or did something come loose inside.

So whoever you got it from or possibly some kind of dropped-box issue during shipping can happen. Would likely require a pretty heavy drop to loosen anything inside - one other guess.

Ask:

Was it brand new or used, and did it come in the all original Pass Labs box and internal packing inside when you received the amp?

audiojan's avatar
audiojan OP
421 posts
 

@decooney it was used, but I did talk to Pass Labs technical support and they were as stumped as me

decooney
2,186 posts
 

To @audiojan The reason I asked about new/used and "factory boxing" is I have been sort of tracking along with different audio things getting damaged in shipping.

Last batch of larger and heavier items I shipped were all hyper bubble wrapped, foamed, double-boxed, after friends having very nice components getting damaged and/or rattled apart inside. .

Ask:

  • Was the INT-25 shipped to you in the original factory Pass Labs box?
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