2. amps-preamps
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looking for a preamp for pass XA30.5

I just got a Pass XA30.5 and I'm looking for a preamp.  I would like to spend in the 2k range.  I'm interested in a tube pre but not married to the idea.  I would like something with a balanced design and balanced connections to compliment the Pass amp.  I was looking at the Schiit Freya+ but I'm not sure if its impedance characteristics would match with the Pass amp?  I've seen some used Pass Preamps on A-gon that look cool?  Any suggestions?
adam8179
georgehifi's avatar
georgehifi
10,312 posts
 
adam8179
I was looking at the Schiit Freya+ but I’m not sure if its impedance characteristics would match with the Pass amp?

 Great choice, as you have three great amps in one, passive, solid state, and tube. With the best mechanical volume control there is 128 position switched relay, and it’s remote.
As for your concerns on impedance match, don’t be. It is 75ohm output impedance from tube or ss, so there is no problem.
And you can always send it back after 15 days if it doesn’t suit.

Cheers George
adam8179 OP
69 posts
 
thanks guys, good info here.  I'm wondering about the advantages of keeping everything in the system fully balanced?  Many of the tube options I was looking at only have unbalanced RCA connections.  How much of a compromise would I be making if I used unbalanced interconnects seeing as the Pass amp is a fully balanced design?
johnto
1,027 posts
 
With my Pass equipment I noticed an increase in clarity and volume when I switched from the unbalanced to the balanced inputs.
georgehifi's avatar
georgehifi
10,312 posts
 
I’m wondering about the advantages of keeping everything in the system fully balanced?


The Freya + is fully balanced or SE. I don't hold any advantages for balanced, unless you want to run >10mt interconnects.
Quite a few sources, poweramps, preamps have balanced inputs/outputs that are fake, in that the circuit is SE and all they do is put a balanced opamp there to give you a balanced input/output, so they actually in this case sound worse that their SE input or output.

Cheers George  
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