Last month Burson asked me if I wanted to test and review a set of Vivid V7 Pro’s unbiased in the Soloist 3XR GT. You can find that review here: Review Vivid V7. The Vivid V7 were without a doubt a better version of the Vivid V6. Now it is time to give the V7 Classics a test run.
Before I started testing, I let the Classic V7’s run in for a full of 48 hours.
Test equipment:
– Hifiman Arya Stealth V3 / Hifiman Arya Unveiled
– Burson Soloist 3XR GT + 5A Supercharger
– Eversolo A8 + upgraded LHY LPS
– DAC – Chord TT2 + Mscaler
This time I will make a comparison between the V7 Vivid and V7 Classic, ofcourse a brief comparison with the V6 is only logical.
Pass Labs INT-250 Review: When Power Meets Poetry
The Legacy of Pass Labs
Before diving into the sonic muscle and musical grace of the INT-250, it’s worth understanding the heritage behind the name. Pass Laboratories, founded by the legendary Nelson Pass, has long been revered in the world of high-end audio for its purist approach to amplification. Known for designing some of the most celebrated Class A and Class AB amplifiers in history, Pass Labs has always prioritized sonic integrity over flashy features, letting their designs speak — or rather, sing — for themselves.
Based in Auburn, California, the company has stayed true to its boutique philosophy, producing low-volume, high-quality gear that often blurs the line between art and engineering. Every Pass Labs product reflects Nelson’s core belief: simple circuits, superb components, and meticulous craftsmanship yield the best sound.
And nowhere is that philosophy more alive than in the INT-250 — their flagship integrated amplifier that distills the DNA of their reference separates into one breathtaking component.
Aesthetics & Build: Industrial Art
Unboxing the INT-250 feels more like welcoming a monolith into your home than just another component. Weighing in at nearly 48 kilograms (105 lbs), it commands respect. The minimalist front panel features a large blue-lit meter — iconic to Pass Labs — and a finely machined volume knob that glides like it’s floating on air. There are no flashy displays or gimmicks here; just raw elegance rooted in function.
The chassis is built like a tank, with massive heat sinks flanking the sides — not just for show, but because this amplifier runs hot. And it should, given its operation in Class AB with a generous Class A bias, delivering the sweet harmonic warmth Pass Labs is famous for, without compromising on grunt.
Power Under the Hood: Control Without Compromise
With 250 watts per channel into 8 ohms and 500 into 4, the INT-250 isn’t merely powerful — it’s authoritative. You don’t hear the power as much as you feel the effortlessness. This amplifier never seems to break a sweat, whether you’re driving sensitive floorstanders or more demanding, low-impedance monitors.
Bass lines are delivered with absolute confidence — tight, deep, and textured. But it’s not just about brute force. The INT-250 has finesse. There’s no bloom, no overhang. Just clean, composed low-end reproduction that serves the music, never overshadowing it.
Sound: Rich, Organic, and Immersively Real
If one word could describe the sonic signature of the INT-250, it’s natural. This amplifier doesn’t impose its own flavor; instead, it reveals the essence of each recording with an uncanny neutrality that’s never sterile.
The midrange is where the Pass magic truly shines. Vocals have body and soul — think Ella Fitzgerald whispering in your ear or Leonard Cohen murmuring from the shadows. String instruments shimmer with just the right amount of decay, while pianos sound grand and harmonically complex.
The treble is extended and detailed but never bright or etched. There’s a certain sweetness — a liquid smoothness — that makes long listening sessions a joy. And the soundstage? Expansive, with holographic imaging. Instruments are locked in space, with air and depth that rival far more expensive separates.
Yet, despite this refinement, the INT-250 never loses its emotional connection. It doesn’t just reproduce music — it communicates it.
User Experience: Simplicity That Honors the Music
Pass Labs has kept the user interface deliberately sparse. Four inputs (with a combination of RCA and XLR), a remote control that’s spartan but reliable, and a straightforward display. That’s it. No DSP, no room
correction, no Wi-Fi or streaming. And frankly, that’s refreshing.
What should have been available in my opinion, is the presence of a preamp input, for example in the case of a home theater input. that being absent is a real loss.
The INT-250 is about purity. About taking the signal from your source and delivering it with as little interference or coloration as possible. That said, it pairs well with a wide range of sources and DACs — from the ultra-precise Chord Electronics to the romantic warmth of LampizatOr.
System Synergy: What You Pair It With Matters
While the INT-250 is flexible, it sings best when paired with high-resolution, transparent speakers, think Magico, Focal, or Sonus Faber. Speakers with low sensitivity are no issue; in fact, the amplifier thrives in those conditions.
Comparisons
Some might compare it to the Hegel H600 or the Dan D’Agostino Progression Integrated, but the INT-250 plays in its own league. It may lack the digital bells and whistles of the Hegel or the sculpted elegance of the D’Agostino, but in terms of musical realism, emotional engagement, and dynamic grip, it holds its ground — and often, outpaces the competition.
Unlike some high-end amplifiers that dazzle on first listen but fatigue over time, the INT-250 is the kind of component that grows on you. It doesn’t wow with gimmicks. Instead, it reveals more and more with every listen, deepening your relationship with your favorite records.
Final Verdict: A Masterpiece of Musicality
The Pass Labs INT-250 is not just an integrated amplifier — it’s a statement. A celebration of what’s possible when engineering meets artistry. It proves that you don’t need separate preamps and monoblocks to reach the summit of hi-fi.
Yes, it’s expensive. Yes, it’s heavy. And yes, it runs hot. But for those who seek the kind of sound that touches the soul, those who value emotional depth over analytical detail, the INT-250 is nothing short of a revelation.
If you can afford it and give it the system it deserves, the INT-250 might just be the last amplifier you ever need.
Pros:
Effortless power delivery — 250W into 8 ohms, 500W into 4 ohms
Lush, organic sound with extraordinary midrange richness
Expansive soundstage with pinpoint imaging
Tank-like build quality, built to last for decades
Quiet background and high resolution without harshness
Pairs well with a wide range of high-end speakers
Simple signal path, pure analog focus
Cons:
Very heavy and physically large — not easy to move or position
Runs warm — needs proper ventilation space
No digital inputs or streaming features — analog only
no preamp inputs (in this class it should have been available)
top blade of the cabinet, to thin metal.
Pricey — a serious investment, though justified by performance
Remote control is basic and feels out of step with the amp’s premium build
Nat King Cole one of my all time favourites! I love his velvety voice. His album Just One of Those Things beautifully combines sophisticated arrangements with Cole’s signature charm, Perfect for reviewing the Burson V7 Classics!
Listening to the track ‘These foolish things remind me of you‘ brought out the rich, velvety textures of Cole’s voice and warmth of the jazz arrangement. The Classic V7’s presentation perfectly complements Cole’s timeless charm, enhancing the emotional intimacy and musical depth essential for a truly immersive audiophile experience. What started as one track, ended up listening to the whole album.
In my experience I have heard many very expensive equipment fail with nat king cole’s arrangements. Instead of a smooth warm experience, a clinical one.
Conclusion and comparison Vivid V7 vs Classic V7
After thoroughly listening to both the Burson V7 Vivid and V7 Classic op-amps, I realized that forming a well-rounded conclusion without directly comparing the two would be impossible. Each variant possesses unique sonic characteristics that define its strengths, making any assessment incomplete without considering how they differ.
The Vivid and Classic are not just two versions of the same op-amp; they are distinct interpretations of musical presentation, each catering to different listening preferences. Therefore, rather than focusing on one in isolation, a direct comparison is necessary to truly understand what each brings to the table.
When comparing the Burson V7 Vivid and Burson V7 Classic op-amps, you can find yourself at an intriguing crossroad. Each offering has a distinct sonic signature tailored to specific listening preferences. Both, especially in the case of the V7 with both exquisite performance.
The Burson V7 Vivid delivers a lively, energetic presentation that breathes life into your music. It excels in transparency, dynamics, and precision, making it particularly well-suited to modern genres, electronic music, or intricate acoustic recordings where micro-details and spatial cues are essential. Some might say that genres like Jazz or classical are less suited, but I would fully disagree that. The vivids are amazing, with all genres.
The Vivid boasts an impressive soundstage, extending wide and deep, with remarkable separation between instruments, hollographic almost. Its treble response is crisp yet refined, showing an airy sparkle without any harshness. The bass is tight, controlled, and punchy, ideal for listeners craving rhythmic precision and impactful transients.
In contrast, the Burson V7 Classic embodies warmth, depth, and a more analog-like musicality, a little bit of a vintage vibe sound. It’s often favored by those who prioritize emotional engagement, tonal richness, and harmonic textures. The Classic imparts a gentle smoothness to recordings, taming sharp edges and providing a slightly fuller-bodied midrange. This warmth results in vocals and string instruments sounding particularly inviting and lush. The bass is deeper, warmer, and a touch rounder compared to the Vivid, delivering a comforting, enveloping sound that enhances prolonged listening sessions, particularly suited to jazz, classical, blues, and vintage rock.
Ultimately, choosing between the V7 Vivid and the V7 Classic comes down to personal preference and musical tastes:
- Choose V7 Vivid if clarity, openness, precise imaging, and dynamic agility are your top priorities, especially suitable for analytical listening sessions or genres requiring high energy and detail.
- Choose V7 Classic if you value musical warmth, natural timbres, emotional depth, and a relaxed, engaging listening experience, ideal for those who enjoy smooth and immersive musical journeys.
The Burson V7 op-amps represent a true evolution over their V6 predecessors, refining and expanding upon Burson’s signature sound philosophy. While the V6 series already set a high benchmark for discrete op-amp performance, the V7 lineup elevates the experience with greater resolution, improved dynamic range and an even more immersive musical presentation.
One of the most striking improvements in the V7 series is its ability to reveal micro-details with exceptional clarity while maintaining a natural and engaging tonal balance. The enhanced transparency ensures that each instrument is distinctly placed within the soundstage, offering a more three-dimensional and almost holographic listening experience. Whether it’s the V7 Vivid’s energetic and precise delivery or the V7 Classic’s rich, analog warmth, both variants showcase significant refinements in resolution and musicality.
Burson has further optimized power handling and noise reduction in the V7, resulting in cleaner background and a more effortless, flowing sound. The transient response and harmonic richness make these op-amps an indispensable upgrade for those seeking the ultimate balance between technical excellence and musical enjoyment.
For audiophiles looking to push their systems to new heights, the Burson V7 series stands as a testament to continuous innovation, offering a level of refinement and sonic purity that redefines what discrete op-amps can achieve. I can only say, well done Burson Audio!
I highly recommend the new V7 Classic and Vivid opamps!
Want to read my review of the V7 Vivid’s? look here: Review Vivid V7
Pros:
– Superior resolution & transparency, delivers greater detail and clarity compared to the V6 series.
– Warmth without loosing air and soundstage,
– Enhanced dynamics, offers better micro and macro-dynamics, adding excitement and realism to the sound.
– Natural sounding with a lifelike presentation.
Cons:
– Price, nut much but still, more expensive than previous Burson op-amps and some competing options. (I would say they are worth it, but that is for everyone to deside for themselves)
