From XA25 to INT60 what can I expect?

[John57]

So I own a Pass XA25
I’m powering the following speakers
PMC Twenty26
Now replaced with MB2SE
Viking Acoustics Berlin Type II’s

In all cases the XA25 is an iron fisted controller in a velvet glove of sweetness.
Interestingly the Berlin horn speakers seem to deliver a more coherent sound stage than the PMC’s.

Given the size of the MB2SE what could I gain by stepping up to the INT60?
5W more Class A...
Would it be a significant upgrade or just an overall better listening experience?
Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

 

[djsina2]

With Viking you should try a good tube amp!

 

[Addicted to hifi]

What direction did you go with?

 

[John57]

What direction did you go with?

G’day
The amps I’ve got in hand at the moment are
ARC LS10SE preamp - very smooth full range - highs and lows are strong) and transparent clarity esp high end decay is a feature
ARC D240SE MK II - poweramp - strong amp with similar profile to the preamp.
PASSLABS M2SE - great poweramp that seems to reach deeper and present a fuller bass experience than the XA25. It was slightly different and marginally better than the XA25 at driving the big PMC MB2SE.
Luxman M900u - this end game poweramp provides headroom sweetness energy drive deep bass and extended highs when fed by the LS10SE.
Now my Viking Acoustics L’Instrument V2.0 have landed they are being driven by the Luxman ARC combo to great delight esp with the extra super tweeters onboard.
Given the equipment I’ve accumulated I will be selling probably the MB2SE and one or more of the amps.
I’m currently using the Oppo205SE and Pioneer LX800SE as SACD players/sources while awaiting the return of an ARC Ref CD9 SE.
I will see what the resolution of these sources will be.

 

[Addicted to hifi]

G’day
The amps I’ve got in hand at the moment are
ARC LS10SE preamp - very smooth full range - highs and lows are strong) and transparent clarity esp high end decay is a feature
ARC D240SE MK II - poweramp - strong amp with similar profile to the preamp.
PASSLABS M2SE - great poweramp that seems to reach deeper and present a fuller bass experience than the XA25. It was slightly different and marginally better than the XA25 at driving the big PMC MB2SE.
Luxman M900u - this end game poweramp provides headroom sweetness energy drive deep bass and extended highs when fed by the LS10SE.
Now my Viking Acoustics L’Instrument V2.0 have landed they are being driven by the Luxman ARC combo to great delight esp with the extra super tweeters onboard.
Given the equipment I’ve accumulated I will be selling probably the MB2SE and one or more of the amps.
I’m currently using the Oppo205SE and Pioneer LX800SE as SACD players/sources while awaiting the return of an ARC Ref CD9 SE.
I will see what the resolution of these sources will be.

Very nice congratulations

 

[John57]

Very nice congratulations

I feel it’s excess actually.
I purchased the MB2SE when the horn speakers were delayed two years across the Covid period.
Now I simply have too much gear that needs to be monetized