2. amps-preamps
  3. 159538-150309

What tube pre-amps pair well with Pass amps?

Does anyone have experience with this?  I'm running Focal Sopra No. 2s and I understand the Focal's pair nicely with Pass amps.  Any tube pre-amps you'd recommend for consideration? I like the classical rock, but am gravitating more to jazz, classical and vocals. I just want to try something new.  Thanks.
billtro
mesch
3,476 posts
 
@1markr My pre is about 2 year old version of the Special. Bought from Aric as a demo. How was your preamp 'souped up'?
keithr
1,306 posts
 
Nelson Pass doesn't design active preamps
cal3713's avatar
cal3713
1,421 posts
 
@keithr Pass labs most certainly does build active pres: https://www.passlabs.com/product_tags/line-preamps/

The xp20 is capable of 10db of gain.

And technically Kent English is primarily in charge of designing the company's award winning preamps.
mesch
3,476 posts
 
+1 dgarretson I would use a balanced pre with one of Pass Labs balanced amps. The XA25 is single ended. 
1markr
594 posts
 
@mesch

I got these details from Aric: the upgraded "Special" has: "Miflex PIO capacitors, all film cap power supply, heavy choke filtering, damper plates for the 6SN7s and features the Vishay resistors as well, but it has the standard iron-core transformers and ALPS remote volume control."
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