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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.

audiojan
decooney
2,565 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
456 posts
 

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

decooney
2,565 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?
mulveling's avatar
mulveling
2,449 posts
 

I may have discovered why this INT-25 is not working well... to get to a volume that’s about conversational, I need to turn the volume up to 50 (the volume goes to 63). I borrowed a new INT-25 from my local dealer (their tech is out, otherwise he could’ve looked at it) and on that unit at about 30 it was quite a bit louder than conversational.

Could it be that I simply struggle with the amp because of a gain issue?!

Certainly, you cannot make any judgements about INT-25 from the faulty unit you first received! Is it possible to retain your dealer’s loaner long enough to make a proper evaluation? Sounds like you have a solid enough relationship to make this happen. It would be a shame to let a (rare) faulty unit dominate your conclusions. Definitely sounds like a gain stage somewhere in the circuit has "crapped out" - maybe passing signal without the appropriate gain.

carlsbad2's avatar
carlsbad2
2,036 posts
 

@audiojan I think you'll get over the distraction.  but it sounds to me like you'll go bak to tubes.  either way, you'll have a good system.

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