PASS LABS INT-150 or X-250 with X-1

Zeebee,

I don't think you realized that the X .5 sounds a bit differently than the older X series. I also have the X350.5. Prior to purchasing mine, I had heard one in a friend's system in a side-by-side comparison against a X350. The original 350 deviated from the Pass signature sound quite a bit, and sounded more cold, sterile. The X .5 seemed to infuse the midrange magic from the Aleph series into these amps. I don't know anything about the INT-150 and have not heard it myself.

Adding the X1 will help to some degree. I had heard both the X1 and the X0.2 in my friend's system. The Pass press had more warmth than the ARC REF 2 Mk I with stock tubes. Depending on how much warmth you are looking for, this may or may not be enough (to your liking). I like the 350.5 very much, but wouldn't touch the 350 with a 10 foot pole.

FrankC

I would also consider the INT-30A which is based on the XA.5 series. The power spec is conservative though it may not have enough for your speakers with which I am unfamiliar. You should contact Pass with this question. Kent is very good at describing differences in the product line. If you have a local Pass dealer, audition the different suggestions in your system if possible.

Zeebee:
thanks,i'm just looking to add some warm sound in my set up.
but i will consider to change to series X.5 if that is the route.
Gundam:
maybe i will love the X350.5 but now i can only get the X250.5
as my budget allow.)
Peterayer:
awesome system u have there.)
power rate really my concern,the amp now push class A around first 40w,but i still thinking not enough.

My comments were meant to touch on the subject of how different the X .5 series is from the non .5 series. The comments I made for the X350.5 vs. X350 should also apply to X250.5 vs. X250.

There are just as many people that will say that X250.5 is better than X350.5 as the other way around. Since I own the X350.5, I cannot be objective. ;-) I don't know anyone local with an X250.5. Otherwise, I would love to do a side-by-side shootout.
FrankC

I have heard both the X350 and the X350.5 and I do not think they sound as differently as everyone has been saying. I have auditioned both courtesy of members of my audio club. I do hear more detail in the X350.5 but the signature is still the same. I think that what I heard is borne out in the changes that Nelson has made in the X.5 series. He replaced the front end Fets with Jfets that have much lower noise. I think thats where the extra detail comes from. The extra output devices will give a little more power but I think it does not change the amplifier's signature. Pass always biased his amplifiers pretty hard to get the output fets to operate a little more linear. Does the X350.5 sound better? Absolutely! The details are more apparent in the X.5 amps but the amps have the same sonic signature and do sound very similar with the X.5 amps revealing some hidden details.