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Pre amp for Pass Labs XA30.5 – Tube or SS

I’m updating my system from the bottom up and have settled on the Pass Labs XA30.5 for power amp. The speakers are a pair of Harbeth C7-es3. Now I’m debating between getting a tube or solid state pre amp. Below are the ones I consider:

SS pre amps - Pass XP10, Ayre K-5xeMP

Tube pre amps – Audio Research Ref 3, LS27 used, LS 26, LS-17SE; Conrad Johnson ET-3, ET-3SE used, Premier 17; Leben pre amp.

Can you share your experience in any of these pre-amp with Pass Labs power amps? Any other SS or Tube pre amp that are worth exploring? Obviously, the Audio Research Ref 3 and LS 27 command a higher price.

I’m looking for a good synergy between pre-amp and power with correct output/input impedance matching. Music I listen include: vocal – both female and male, jazz, pop, chamber, symphony, etc. I’m looking for full-body mid, solid bass and extended treble, accurate sound stage, with a focus on vocal presentation.

Any suggestions are appreciated.
r0817
czbbcl's avatar
czbbcl
1,752 posts
 
Again it was a direct quote form the designer (Nelson
Pass)concerning tubed pre-amp choices and their ability to
work well with his XA series of amps. I am sure he knows a
fair amount about the amps he designs and their ability to
mate up with other manufacturers tubed pre-amps.

And as far as system synergy goes the best match with a Pass
amp is a Pass Pre-Amp. I suspect any designer is going to
use his own products to optimize their synergies together.

Chuck
onemug
784 posts
 
RO817,

When you say you have "settled" on a 30.5, do you already have it or are you going to be getting it?

In any event, I have a 30.5 and 100.5's and use CJ tube preamps with them. Perfect for me. I didn't feel that they "needed" a tube pre, just that those gave me the sound I enjoy the most.

I did audition a XP20 and liked it a bunch. I don't see how you could go wrong with the 10 especially if you have to buy blind (is "deaf" a better word? smile).

If you do go tube, the length and capacitance of the interconnects should be taken into account.

Tube or ss, I think you're going to have a great system. Good luck.
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,250 posts
 
Onemug,
Did you prefer the Pass preamp over your CJ pre? There's really no guarantee the OP will like the Pass pre more simply because it is the same brand as the amplifier. Depending on the listener's taste and goals,another brand could be a better fit sonically. There's only one way to determine which is preferable and that requires listening.
Regards,
r0817 OP
55 posts
 
Thanks everyone for your feedbacks and suggestions. It's been very educational and informative. I'll surely consider the impedance matching when I search the pre-amp.

Meanwhile, for those who have experience listening the various pre-amps (i.e. XP10, Audio Research, CJ, Leben, etc)with Pass Labs XA30.5 or other XA.5, how would you characterize the different sound each pre-amp presents?
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