Anyone auditioned Pass Labs XP-30 preamp?

I just ran across this thread and thought my past and recent experiences with Pass Labs gear might be of some help.

My experience is deep, rather than broad, as I have not had the opportunity to compare Pass products to other gear. However, over the past 7 years I’ve rolled a number of Pass Labs components through my system (mainly used and factory refurbished): X250, X250.5, X350.5, XA160.5, X-1, XP-20, Xono, and XP15. My speakers throughout the past 10 years have been the Martin Logan Odysseys.

As luck would have it, last summer I had the occasion to make a business trip to Nevada. I took advantage of the situation and spent an afternoon with Mark Sammut of Reno Hi-Fi, who graciously treated me to a comparison of various combinations of the X350.5, XA100.5, XA160.5, XA200.5, XP20, XP30, and XP25. Mark was running the Pass SR-2 speakers.

To my ears, anyway, Nelson and Wayne have been on a pretty consistent development trajectory. As you advance from the X-1 to the XP30, I would characterize the improvements as providing greater resolution (I think the same is also more or less true of the move from the X to X.5 class AB amps). By “resolution,” what I hear in moving up the Pass preamp food chain is a consistent increase in the “black quietness” from which the music emerges, an increasing ability to discern separate instruments and voices, better control of bass, and a wider and deeper soundstage. BUT, the magnitude of the differences I heard between these preamps depended on the power amp. The differences are more obvious (and breathtaking) as you move into the larger XA class A amps. IMHO, if you are running one of their class AB X.5 amps (or equivalent) the XP20 will be plenty of preamp. Yes, you will be able to hear improvements in the XP30, but put the extra $$ towards one of the XA power amp monoblock designs, instead.

I would characterize the improvements I hear in moving from the X350.5, to the XA100.5 and up the food chain to the XA200.5 amps as providing increasing amounts of body and 3 dimensionality to the instruments. To use a visual analogy, I would describe the X350.5 amp as providing a crystal-clear, “hi-definition” image. Using better and better preamps in the Pass lineup brings higher and higher definition, but turning up the volume simply makes that hi-def image brighter and brighter, and it remains, in essence, a 2 dimensional image. The XA amps take that hi-def image and turn the pinpoint voices and instruments into individual 3-D holograms of the real thing. The bigger the XA amp, the more palpable the holograms. With these amps, turning up the volume is like moving your seat in a concert hall closer to the stage. The soundstage reaches out and envelops you.

In my case, I felt that my system was better served by keeping my XP20, busting my budget, and trading in my X350.5 for a pair of used XA160.5's. (The combination of the XP25, XP30, and XA200.5 I heard at Marks' was outrageous - both in sound and $$, unfortunately).

If you want to read more, I have found two really good sources. The first is Nelson Pass, himself. Read his article “Audio, Distortion, and Feedback” on the Pass Labs website. In it, he discusses the various types of circuit design, distortion and the use of negative feedback. I found his observations to translate to what I heard in their X.5 and XA.5 amps. There are also interesting reviews of the XP20 and XP phono preamps on the hometheaterhifi.com website (the link can be found on the Pass website under “Reviews.”

Hope this helps.

Hthaller,
Thank you very much for that informative and detailed write-up. I have the XA160.5 and XP-20 and Xono. Based on your experience, would I be better served by replacing the XP-20 with the XP-30, or the Xono with the XP-15 or XP-25?

Like you, I have deep Pass Labs experience rather than broad. I've owned the Aleph 3, 5, 2, the Ono, Xono, Aleph P, X-1, XP-20, XA160, XA100.5 and XA160.5. I've always wanted to meet Mark Sammut and the guys at Pass.

It's a great company with great products. Thanks for sharing your experience.

Peterayer,

Thanks for your comments. I appreciate it.

Given the cost of the XP30 and XP25, I think the biggest bang for the buck would be to trade up to the XP15. Or maybe the XP25 if you spin a fair amount of vinyl. I have not heard both phono preamps back-to-back in the same system, but Mark Sammut characterized the XP15 as providing 70% - 75% of the (sonic) benefits of the XP25. Of course, the 25 has the front panel adjustments, which is a really nice touch.

For me, I find myself listening to vinyl about 30% of the time, using an "entry-level" high end cartridge (Dynavector Karat 17D3), so found the extra investment in the XP25 tough to justify. However, the XP15 was a definite step up over my Xono, and the sonic benefits were immediately apparent.

As for the XP30 vs the XP20, I think I'd have to live with both for a few days and listen to a greater variety of source material to make the call if the extra view is worth the climb. (Mark, as you know, allows a 10 day test drive.) What I heard in the comparison in Reno was that the XP30 was superior - notably with respect to a wider and deeper soundstage and a bit more of that overall "tube-like ease" (especially with the XA amps) but, apart from that, the XP20 held its own. I came away from that session with a clear sense that I was definitely missing something by not having the class A monoblocks, but didn't come to that same conclusion with respect to the XP20.

Cheers,

I'm a big Pass fan. More of the amps than the preamps. I agree with Thaller's assessment of the Pass trajectory based on ownership of the X0.2 and the XP-20. more resolution and lower noise floor and throw in some better bass while you're at it. Ultimately, I still found the 20 too 2-D and lacking texture so I hope the 30 makes that leap. It wasn't the amps in my system as they are still the same. My current ARC preamp dramatically changed everything that I was missing. There's as much detail but it sounds much more natural. I expect the Ref 5 would do the same so it's not that it's an unfair comparison but I can't be sure.

Barrysandy,

I've got to take exception to your comment the XP-20 isn't
3D.
My system is currently an Electrocompaniet EMC1-up, Pass XP-10, and Rowland 625, into Sonus Faber Concerto Domus floorstanders. (1) James EMB-1200 adds some low end.
This system is as 3D as I've ever owned. All my current speakers are 2 ways. I just like 2 way speakers better, in my room.
My XP-20 is sitting in the box until I install my Apogee Stages - the speakers I bought based on past experience
with Apogee Mini Grands.
If The ARC preamp you mention works better for you, I'd suggest system synergy.
I'm familiar with Magnepan. My first panel speaker was the MG3.3R.
I'm also familiar with the Pass Aleph 2s. I just sold mine, after 10 years.