Pass Lab x2.5 preamp owners -- plse help

My personal opinion is that using cables as tone controls is just masking (or compensating for) other problems.

(I am not saying that cables make no difference.)

I am growing in the opinion that your system should sound in a manner you like with 'cheap' cables, where better cables simply are less restrictive and allow your gear to show through better; quite frankly better cables may reveal short comings in gear as much as help them.

Anyway, it's early, maybe I am not thinking clearly. :)

So to the point of the post, I think there are some issues in your system where you don't have a system match, outside of cables.

I own the X2.5 and definitely do not find it to be overtly bright, although it certainly provides a clean detailed presentation. I do have it matched with a X150.5 amp, so this synergy is certainly helpful. I have even compared it closely to the Densen pre-amp I was using previously as well as the Primare 5.1 HT pre-amp I use for film viewing/surround sound. The Densen is pretty well known for a 'Naim-like' signature high on PRAT...very musical - definitely not 'bright'. The Pass clearly was more open and relaxed sounding. The Primare is a pretty high-end piece and although it's primary focus is on the processing side of things, it is a pretty musical piece and it's pre-amp is no slouch. I wish it was as good as the Pass Labs since I'd love to consolidate my system...unfortunately it wasn't. This is of course based on my personal tastes and observations, but I might note that there is an issue of synergy in the amp/pre-amp/speaker chain. Hard to say really...I'd hate to see you give up on Pass since I think they make great gear but it's possible the Pass Labs doesn't fit your personal sonic tastes. FYI...even though Brian's probably correct that you won't want to rely on cables to fix something I do find Sonoran cables to be a very sweet complement to my Pass amp and preamp.

I have an X2.5 and don't find it to be bright at all. In my sytem is sounds neutral and clean. It will reprodouce what it is fed.

You might want to look at your source component, the Naim CD3.5 has a reputation for a forward midrange and high frequency brightness. Try to borrow an other CD player and see (hear) what happens.

Rick

Like Stehno and others said the X2.5 is allowing the high frequencies to 'pass' through more than did the Adcom. The X2.5 is a beautiful piece of equipment and I think I have a synergy mismatch with my amp or speakers. The Focus Audio have a very detailed high end (not bright in my opinion), but having had the Pass only a week, I'm going to give things more time before I make any major changes and might try a different pc. Thank you all for the excellent comments/suggestions!

I'm considering a Pass Lab x2.5 that's currently listed in Agon. Have a Levinson 27.5 amp and Thiel 2.4s; cdp to be determined. Is the Pass x2.5 a good choice from what's currently for sale in pre's from $1200-1800? I auditioned an old Classe DR-6 and was delighted with its warm, clear sound and 3D spaciousness, but had too much bkgrnd hiss with the Levinson. Any suggestions on pre's in this price range?

Also, I read that the Pass x2.5's volume control was digitally configurable from 1-100 so that you can maximize the number of steps based on your amp's sensitivity, and thus make each step quite small, not gigantic 3db steps?