OP you're not alone in your findings, the longest running thread on here by a member that buys and tests some of the world's best gear said the Pass preamp was the worst he has had in his system.
Disappointment with Pass Labs - I'm looking for something else
Hello, I am new to this forum and my mother tongue is not English, so please forgive me if I make mistakes as I use a translator.
I recently bought an XA30.8 and an XP12. I was very happy but as time went by I began to not feel comfortable with the sound.
After doing many tests, I find that the XA30.8 sounds very very sweet but actually too much. I find it to be a loosely defined amp, somewhat muddy and lacks a lot of air and grip. The soundstage is very closed.
The XP-12 is the worst of the two. It is a previous that removes a lot of resolution and information, without transient attacks and sunken mid frequencies. Instead it brings warmth.
Has anyone of you found the same?
If you ask me, I have a Klipsch Cornwall and a dCS BArtok.
Now I want a capable amp, forceful, something warm, decisive, airy and with a great soundstage.
At first I thought of changing my XA30.8 for X250.8, and changing the XP-12 for a second-hand Audio Research Ref5. I am afraid of this change and continue with Pass, since I can go back to the same thing a bit.
On the other hand I have thought of going for a Luxman 900 combo, since it has very good reviews and from what I have read it could be the winning ticket.
I recently bought an XA30.8 and an XP12. I was very happy but as time went by I began to not feel comfortable with the sound.
After doing many tests, I find that the XA30.8 sounds very very sweet but actually too much. I find it to be a loosely defined amp, somewhat muddy and lacks a lot of air and grip. The soundstage is very closed.
The XP-12 is the worst of the two. It is a previous that removes a lot of resolution and information, without transient attacks and sunken mid frequencies. Instead it brings warmth.
Has anyone of you found the same?
If you ask me, I have a Klipsch Cornwall and a dCS BArtok.
Now I want a capable amp, forceful, something warm, decisive, airy and with a great soundstage.
At first I thought of changing my XA30.8 for X250.8, and changing the XP-12 for a second-hand Audio Research Ref5. I am afraid of this change and continue with Pass, since I can go back to the same thing a bit.
On the other hand I have thought of going for a Luxman 900 combo, since it has very good reviews and from what I have read it could be the winning ticket.
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- 149 posts total
- 149 posts total