Today it was two thirty-watt Class A integrated amps, both of noble pedigree, but representing different design traditions. The Pass Labs INT30A is pretty minimalist in terms of functions, but has massive physical presence, accentuated by the huge heatsinks on either side. The Luxman L-590AX (successor to the L-590A II) is an old school Japanese amp, with lovely dancing needles on the front and a host of functions, plus an allegedly very good phono stage. (I didn't test this and have no need for it.)
Both were playing through Franco Serblin’s Accordo standmount speakers.
Pass Labs INT30A
I think the speakers were a bit on the bright side and made the INT30A’s top end sound quite forward. Consequently violins and guitars tended to sound a bit metallic, though not at all harsh. Piano was wonderfully liquid whilst also conveying the precise hammer strokes on the strings: a wonderful impression of silky smoothness, delicacy and precision. Aside from the brightness noted above, acoustic instruments had a thoroughly natural timbre: cello was particularly fine. Also voices sounded sweet and real, with no evidence of sibilance, except on one Radiohead track. With ensemble vocals things got really exciting: partly this was the result of the INT30A’s ability to locate voices in three dimensions; partly it was the accuracy of tone, which gave each voice its own tone. Listening to ensemble work in opera, this is a real game changer: the voices belong to people with distinct characters. Dynamics were also excellent. All round a beautiful amp: detailed, liquid, exciting.
The remote is nicely built and the volume control works in pleasingly tiny increments.
Luxman L-590AX
So the INT30A set the bar very high. To say the L-590AX was a disappointment would be overstating things; I’d be very happy in a world in which the L-590AX was the best amp you could buy. The two amps are tuned a bit differently. The L-590AX has a mellower tone and more prominent bass. Compared with the hyper-precise INT30A, the L-590AX seemed to have a tiny bit of mushiness around the notes. Piano had slightly less attack. Having said that, the dynamics of the L-590AX seemed better to me. A fraction more oomph. And the overall impression of a lovely liquid sound and natural tone was very similar to the INT30A.
I love the look of these Japanese amps, and the build quality is excellent. However, the milling of the front panel controls on the L-590AX is very sharp, which I don’t like so much. I like my metal smooth. (Accuphase amps are exemplary in this respect.)
Both amps also sounded great playing at low volumes, which is a trait of Class A and a huge plus in my book.
Conclusion? Based on this demo I’d pick the Pass Labs INT30A, though the differences between them were dwarfed by the Class A family resemblances. Both are wonderful amps, and I’d be happy with either.
Both were playing through Franco Serblin’s Accordo standmount speakers.
Pass Labs INT30A
I think the speakers were a bit on the bright side and made the INT30A’s top end sound quite forward. Consequently violins and guitars tended to sound a bit metallic, though not at all harsh. Piano was wonderfully liquid whilst also conveying the precise hammer strokes on the strings: a wonderful impression of silky smoothness, delicacy and precision. Aside from the brightness noted above, acoustic instruments had a thoroughly natural timbre: cello was particularly fine. Also voices sounded sweet and real, with no evidence of sibilance, except on one Radiohead track. With ensemble vocals things got really exciting: partly this was the result of the INT30A’s ability to locate voices in three dimensions; partly it was the accuracy of tone, which gave each voice its own tone. Listening to ensemble work in opera, this is a real game changer: the voices belong to people with distinct characters. Dynamics were also excellent. All round a beautiful amp: detailed, liquid, exciting.
The remote is nicely built and the volume control works in pleasingly tiny increments.
Luxman L-590AX
So the INT30A set the bar very high. To say the L-590AX was a disappointment would be overstating things; I’d be very happy in a world in which the L-590AX was the best amp you could buy. The two amps are tuned a bit differently. The L-590AX has a mellower tone and more prominent bass. Compared with the hyper-precise INT30A, the L-590AX seemed to have a tiny bit of mushiness around the notes. Piano had slightly less attack. Having said that, the dynamics of the L-590AX seemed better to me. A fraction more oomph. And the overall impression of a lovely liquid sound and natural tone was very similar to the INT30A.
I love the look of these Japanese amps, and the build quality is excellent. However, the milling of the front panel controls on the L-590AX is very sharp, which I don’t like so much. I like my metal smooth. (Accuphase amps are exemplary in this respect.)
Both amps also sounded great playing at low volumes, which is a trait of Class A and a huge plus in my book.
Conclusion? Based on this demo I’d pick the Pass Labs INT30A, though the differences between them were dwarfed by the Class A family resemblances. Both are wonderful amps, and I’d be happy with either.
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