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Pass Labs X0.2 vs. X1

Hello, my name is Spiros and I have a problem with high end audio equipment .... A year ago I vowed that I would buy a "nice" audio system and STOP and that pledge lasted about a week. I keep trading upward and the quest seems to have no end in sight. Oddly enough, I don't swap brands just escalate to a higher step within the same brand. For example, I started with a Halo A23 amp (awsome, btw) and now I have a pair of JC-1s (molto awsome). A pair of M-L Ascent i's lasted two weeks before being replaced with the Prodigys. Now comes the preamp: I am absolutely satisfied with the Pass Labs X1 (thanks Lanny Dalton!) but I'm mesmerized by the X0.2. Does anyone have experience with both of these preamps? As it stands, the system now is composed of:
Onkyo 1000 Universal player, MD108 tuner, Pass X1 preamp, Halo JC-1s (Kimber KS1011 & KS1111 for IC) and ML Prodigys (bi-wired Kimber KS3033). Thanks in advance for all your thoughts.
veloceracing
jmcgrogan2's avatar
jmcgrogan2
6,346 posts
 
I would think your first move would be to upgrade the front end digital source. I believe getting a better cd player (or two) would provide a bigger upgrade than going from a X1 to a X0.2.
I personally haven't found a Universal player to my liking, yet. I'm still using a BAT cd player for redbook and a Sony player for SACD's. Try a Audio Aero Capitole mk II or something similar for digital.
The rest of your system seems very well balanced.

Cheers,
John
veloceracing OP
26 posts
 
Hello John: Yea, I know, I know ... people chuckle about the Onkyo but, franly, I like it! It's a stopgap measure until I wait for the latest and greatest Universal Player (whichever that will be) and as I begin my foray back into vinyl (thinking of a X Ono and a Scout). But my question had to do with the comparison between the X1 and the X0.2, not the merits or weaknesses of my system (although the comments are appreciated). Thanks.
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sigmund
25 posts
 
Just to put a good word in for the X0.2, I have been through many preamps, and when I put the X0.2 in my system I just sort of forgot aobut it. I haven't ever thought about repalcing it and I have joyfully had it for two years. It just seems to not be there, and that is a good thing in preamps.
Richard
ejholtom
6 posts
 
I have a friend that upgraded from the X1 to the X0.2. The X0.2 had been broken in at the shop, so was a good comparison. It would be hard to go back to the X1 after listening to the X0.2. I know you didn't ask this, but I'm not sure you would hear a big difference between them with the Onkyo front end.

Cheers
veloceracing OP
26 posts
 
Thank you Richard and Ej for the insightful comments. Curiously, they balance out two negative comments I heard about the unit (in essence, the jump in performance wasn't matched by the jump in price) but others have said that Pass is probably one of the few companies where performance does indeed increase as one climbs the product ladder. And Ej I understand what you're saying about the front end but the only reason I embarked on this thread is because I may have the opportunity to buy an 0.2 at a reasonable price so I'm just trying to maximize my dollar. Thanks to both of you.
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