Pass X1 / X250 - how to get a bit foregivable ???

Nice system. You might try Van der Hul cables. Completely different philosophy and design and they're not that expensive to experiment. Not my choice but might be right for you.

The Pass Labs is good stuff. The X-1 and X2.5 are two of the better preamps I've owned.

My guess is it's not the brutal honesty of the music or even the recording at issue here. Most likely it's the brutal honesty of inferior or no AC line conditioning and ics and scs that induce time-smear. Either of these shortcomings will induce an ear fatiguing presentation that makes one run for cover.

Everybody has dirty AC to one bad degree or another and everybody incorporating a cd player (and dac) is subject to bi-directional digital noise that will make its way back into the AC, even back to the service panel and then contaminate your other components. The only line conditioners I can recommend are the Foundation Research passive, dedicated, and bi-directional (for digital noise) line conditioners which I've been using for 5 years and recently took on that product line when I became a dealer. If you do not have proper line conditioning and start to shop for it, be aware that some of the most popular line conditioners actually induce sonic harm rather than purify it. Proper is the keyword here.

Time-smear in cabling (ics and scs) is very common regardless of price. But cables that induce little or no time smear are out there and they make a world of difference. Several that come to mind include Audio Tekne, BPT's, Audience, and Speltz. And none of these will cost an arm and a leg.

Assuming these are two areas that need addressing and resolved you will hear a pristine musical presentation that will catipult your system to levels you did not know were atainable.

If these shortcomings do exist and you choose not to address them it really doesn't matter what else you do.

BTW, with proper line conditioning, the performance of the X-1 should be near identical to that of it's single-chassied little brother the X2.5 which I actually preferred because I did not want the seperate power supply and 6 ft umbilical cord that comes with the X-1 if I could not hear any audible differences.

-IMO

You could try upgrading to the 250.5,much better in the mids than the older model and kinder to less than stellar recordings.

I used to have the X350/2.5 combo. (Still own the 2.5). If it were me, I would upgrade to one of the .5 amps and keep the X1. I've noticed that some dealers are offering a generous trade in on the older amps. Also the Shunyata Aries S XLR's worked out nice with the pass gear. I still own a couple pairs.

I use a Supratek Syrah with my X-250.
This combo works well for me and gives a nice
blend of s.s. & tubes.
As Stehno says sorting the mains supply
and power cords is crucial.
I find the e.a.r. stuff a bit lean and
the Syrah is not exactly a 'cuddly' valve sound.
I found the snappers - a new pair right enough, less
than refined with a solid state pre-amp.
Only my thoughts but I never new how good the Pass
was till I paired it with the Supratek.
My speakers are AP Virgos which are not thought
of as the 'overly warm soundin..g
Very few things sound unbearable and most sound sublime
but I do tend to favour vinyl.
HT Cyberlinks ended the constant i/c upgrade saga once and for all and treating my room stopped me striving for stuff that I just can't afford - at least for now??