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Pass Labs 20 Years and Counting

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  #1  
Old 05-27-2019, 06:41 PM
SteveJ SteveJ is offline
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Default Preamp recommendations please

I have a Pass Labs X250.5 and am beginning a search for a preamp. The speakers I am intending to have are Magnepans, most likely 3.7i’s with 20.7s being a remote possibility.

I built a Pass Pearl II to go with my ZYX Omega so I am not looking for a preamp with phono preamp capability.

If I had to get a preamp today I would pick up a Pass Labs, maybe an XP-10 or 12, but I have two projects to finish at work before I can turn my attention to finishing my system so I have time to do some research. Might as well put it to use, have some fun and learn something.

I may end up getting more than one preamp to try and then decide what to keep.

I would very much appreciate if, along with your recommendations, you could give your reasoning why that particular preamp (or type/class of preamp) would be a good fit for the components I have listed.

Thanks!!!!

Steve
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Old 05-27-2019, 09:24 PM
Jdsmoke Jdsmoke is offline
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Do you have a preference for solid state or tubes. I like audio research ref 6 w pass if you like tubes. SS I would likely go w Pass pre.
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Old 05-27-2019, 09:46 PM
SteveJ SteveJ is offline
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I am not philosophically opposed to a tube preamp. Do they have a transformer output? If they do that might not be the best match to the X250.5 input from a source to load impedance point of view, at least on paper. How it sounds is what matters.
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Old 05-28-2019, 06:15 AM
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daveneumann daveneumann is offline
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I highly recommend a Pass Labs preamp. See my thread on Pass Labs Synergy. I had a 250.8 and ended up buying an XP22 preamp. It was the best combination I tried with the Pass amp and while I now own 260.8 amps, I continue to love the preamp.

You should also call Kent at Pass Labs. He can walk you through the sonic differences between the XP10, XP12 and XP22. Good luck.
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SF Stradivari, Aric Audio Motherlode XL preamp and Super KT Parallel amps; Pass XP 27, Raven One TT, Graham Phantom II arm, Lyra Etna Lamda, Airtight PC1, Bryston 3.14 DAC, Transparent Reference & Wireworld, dedicated treated room 17 X 34 X 9
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Old 05-28-2019, 07:31 AM
SteveJ SteveJ is offline
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Thanks Dave!

I bought the X250.5 used from a nice gentleman. He played it for me in his system with an XP-12 and Wilson Sasha speakers when I went to pick it up. It was quite nice.

Is there a Pass preamp that is the obvious match to the X250.5?

Last edited by SteveJ; 12-19-2019 at 02:19 PM.
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Old 05-28-2019, 10:31 AM
Mikado463 Mikado463 is offline
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currently utilizing a pair of X260.8's driving a pair of Revel Studio 2's. My preamp(Linestage) of choice is an ARC LS28, I couldn't be happier.
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Old 05-28-2019, 06:49 PM
SteveJ SteveJ is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mikado463 View Post
currently utilizing a pair of X260.8's driving a pair of Revel Studio 2's. My preamp(Linestage) of choice is an ARC LS28, I couldn't be happier.

Thanks for the response.

What is it about the LS28 that compelled you to chose it to drive the X260.8's?
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Old 06-11-2019, 10:17 AM
TommyTunes TommyTunes is offline
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I’m using a XP22 with an X250.5 and Maggie 3.7’s it is an outstanding combination. That give’s my big system a serious run. The magic came with the XP22
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Old 12-31-2019, 12:24 PM
7markr 7markr is offline
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For what it's worth since this is an older thread... I am very happy with a Backert Rhumba preamp mated with my Pass XA25 amp! It uses a couple of 12au7-type of tubes, with my faves in this preamp being the CBS 5814a tubes.
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Old 12-31-2019, 03:50 PM
Mikado463 Mikado463 is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SteveJ View Post
Thanks for the response.

What is it about the LS28 that compelled you to chose it to drive the X260.8's?
Steve, sorry for uber late reply. Perhaps no longer relevant but I have been a CJ and ARC guy for so long it was just a natural.
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