Pls help me decide Pass Labs X250.8 or Luxman M900u

I want to upgrade my 2 channel audio. I have a 7.2.4 Home Theater system I am in the process of upgrading. Recently I upgraded my old B&W N805 / HTM2 to the 803D4 / HT81D4 and relegated my N805’s to Surround duty (and they excel in this roll!)

I have been driving (due to age of system) with a Pass Labs X5, which I will keep for surrounds and center on HT , but I want to upgrade my 2 Channel Audio. I currently am trying to decide between the PassLabs X250.8 and the Luxman M900u. As these B&W’s can dip down below 2ohms I want to make sure I buy an amp which will bring out the best in my system and handle these dips. I will also be buying a Tube Preamp with HT Bypass -(looking for a used VAC Signature Mk5 SE or the new Backert Rhumba Extreme 1.4)

Anyone with experience with either of these amps and B&W 800’s would be great to hear from.

Thx!

garynospamm07-13-2023 11:58am

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audphile1 Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 8,014 posts 07-14-2023 at 05:56am Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete Years ago I owned B&W N803 and drove them with Pass X250.5 and Audio Research LS-25 and Ref1 preamps. B&Ws love power and the X250.5 had zero issues driving them. I now have Wilson Sabrina that dip to around 2ohms and have no problems with X260.8/XP22 combo. The amps, at normal listening levels below 90db, don’t even leave Class A. Also, I had XA30.8 driving Martin Logan Montis and the Sabrinas. The MLs have nasty dip to below 1ohm if I’m not mistaking. The XA30.8 didn’t care. It wasn’t as dynamic and didn’t have the control over the speakers the X260.8 possess with the Wilsons but it still had the midrange and treble magic. I have no experience with Luxman amps.
yoyoyaya Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 1,068 posts 07-14-2023 at 09:41am Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete The 803D4 has a couple of tough dips in its modulus of impedance but nothing that Pass X250.8s can't handle.
woots Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 368 posts 07-14-2023 at 10:07am Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete I have experience with Luxman and B&W. My recommendation would be to find a retailer that sells those brands and get a demo. I don't think you will like that combo. Google Ohm's law and you will see that Luxman meets the criteria of how low they go; however, with the combo of B&W I think you will be disappointed and feel like you are missing something.
pennfootball71 Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 284 posts 07-14-2023 at 10:29am Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete Try a Modwright integrated amp. 220w into 8 400 into 4. I use that on my YG’s and Vivid Giya G2. It has the tube preamp built in! So you will save 10-20k in cables and preamp! I will put this integrated up against 50 grand of separates!
mbmi Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 623 posts 07-14-2023 at 12:43pm Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete Luxman has trouble with certain speakers....Pass doesn't.