Pass Int-150 or Int-30A for PMC Speakers?

The Int-150 is the only Amp of Pass which I think is not that good. I owned: XA100.5, xa60.5, xa30.5 and now the X250.5. Control of Int-150 is very average, focus is poor. I don't think it is worth the name Pass to be unnest. I had it for 2 months to take a listen. I tried it with many different speakers. I would not want it even for free!

If none of the integrateds you've tried worked well with the PMCs, I'd be doubtful that the Pass ones will. Presumably you've heard the PMCs sound great with something? What was it?

Hi Chuck,

My thoughts are exactly the same. FB1i is the most sensitive of all PMCs. Pass Labs website suggest Int-150 for speaker less sensatice than sensitivity 87 or below and Int-30A for 87 and above. Therefore the FB1i should be matched with the 30A for being at 90. That's why I am curious to hear people experiences with matching Pass amps with PMCs. or PMCs. Still waiting...

Drubin,

You must be a veteran in the AV world... I heard the most detail out of Krell s300i (with Bryston DAC) on OB1i and GB1i. However, the staging and the tonal texture was both false and foul. The most popping and exciting performance was FB1i with NAD M3 (with NAD M51 DAC). This combo lacked half of the detail. It made classical music sound like pop. This is especially true when I heard it with out the M3.

I am certain the PMC FB1i can bring me the symphony hall experience, but with which integrated amp?! After reading many blogs/posting/reviews, it's down to Pass Labs and Plinius. Living in Toronto, I don't get to hear Plinius. So Pass wins by default. Now the question is, will it be the Int-150 or Int-30A?!

I guess I don't get it. You have yet to hear sound you really like from PMC speakers with any combination of electronics but you're going to buy them anyway and pair them with a Pass integrated, which you've never heard? Or maybe I'm not understanding your situation.

Hi Drubin,

You are right. I am a little out of my mind by playing this guessing-matchin game. I have yet heard The PMCs sounded exactly the way I want them to on one system. I figured since the speakers are capable of the giving me the detail from one system and the tonal texture from another, this speaker can do the job. I know the sound Pass sound, just not on the PMCs. I enjoyed the XA30.5 over the x150.5. I don't remember what speakers I was listening though. So here I am at this guessing-matching game...