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Pass X1??

I am using a Pass X1/X250 combo with nice results but am wondering if the x1 is one of those preamps to hang onto or is it so far obsolete that it could be easily beaten with a less expensive new preamp. My X1 sounds fine but have there been advances in preamps that make the X1 obsolete or is it a piece to hang onto for a long time. Mine is sounding good but as it is now the oldest component in my system I thought I'd ask. I recently got new digital which is indescribably better than I was used to and the digital I was used to was pretty good. I'm thinking the x1 may be a keeper because of it's simplistic design. I think if something goes wrong with the X1 that it will come across as obvious and not just degraded sound. I would consider the XP-10 but it does not have a tape out which is essential for my headamp. The X20 is simply far beyond reality due to price point. I guess my question more to the point is that if I sell my X1 for $2000 then what would far better it at the $2000 price point? I'm still thinking the X1 may be a keeper. It will require replaced chips as they are bound to go throughout the years but this is normal.
128x128mitchb
peterayer
1,382 posts
 
Curio,
Did you hear the XP-20 in other systems as well? I find it to be so transparent that it really reflects the character of what is in the rest of the system. I agree the mids are more refined. The lower noise floor relative to the X-1 also allows me to hear more detail and I find it has less of its own signature than the X-1 has. For example, the quality of particular recordings is more apparent. I found the X-1 very slightly cool/dry of neutral and that character was evident with all recordings in my system. The XP-20 sounds cleaner, smoother and clearer and yes, warmer on some recordings, but I think that warmth brings it closer to neutral than the cooler X-1, if you follow my thinking. The X-1 remains an excellent value and is of very top quality.
tonyptony
618 posts
 
Hmm, quite the dilemma. Although at this stage of quality I think one would definitely have to hear one of these in one's own system. Now how do I get my hands on a X10 or X20? :-( No dealers around here who carry that sort of stuff.
peterayer
1,382 posts
 
Tony,
You can do an in-home demo by calling RENO HIFI. I think there is a restocking fee plus shipping which shouldn't be bad for UPS ground if you choose not to buy. I've had great experience with Mark. I bought my XA.5 amps, and both the X1 and XP20 from him because there is no dealer in my area either.
mitchb's avatar
mitchb OP
336 posts
 
Tonypony. You could call Pass and ask them for their dealer list.They would help you.
curio's avatar
curio
305 posts
 
Dear Peterayer :-)

- The X1 is trasparent exactly like the XP20 .. non more but not less
- The low noise is so low in the X1 the lower noise you refer to the XP20 you can discover only by instruments and not by your ears
- The more (more??? No no! .. maybe something more!) detail you discover in the XP20 is referring to the super transparency of the XP20 that allow you to capture something more than the X1 .. but pay attention .. I wrote "something more" and not more..
- I agree and I already wrote the X1 is on the cool/neutral side compared to the sweeter/romantic (mids only!) XP20

The XP-20 sounds cleaner, smoother and clearer and yes, warmer on some recordings, but I think that warmth brings it closer to neutral than the cooler X-1 ... (Peterayer)

Uhmm... not cleaner .. the X1 is super clean too .. surely warmer already said.
No , I don't agree the additional warm of the XP20 bring you closer to the neutral side.
I think in the end the X1 is the perfect preamp (nowaday too!) for Tube amps more than SS amps while the new XP20 is also perfect for SS amps! thanks to these additional refined and warmer mids.
In fact I envy the XP20 of my friend Carlo because it should be the perfect "team-mate" of my loved Parasound Halo JC1's .. surely better than the also super-good X1 I own.
But definitely the forward step Pass or Coburn injected into the XP20 is just a little step and not a radical change so I warn X1 owners that want to change into XP20 to listen the XP20 before to buy thinking to a great step-change inside their hifi setup.
Maybe a disillusion is just round the corner!

Detto questo (telling this) If I should buy a SS preamp today I surely would search for a Pass Labs XP20
I 'll have the perfect team-mate for tubes or ss amps!
Who knows what 'll be my amp choice for the future?

My cent!
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