2. amps-preamps
  3. 164110-36966

Holographic, 3D Solid State Amp under $6k

Greetings! I’m looking for a $4-6k tube preamp + ~$6k solid state Amp combination - an Amp with Preferably a high impedance inputs, and XLR inputs. I want to combine the holographic, 3D imaging and wide soundstage of a tube preamp to the dynamics, control, and extension of a solid state amp. I’d like to see Class A for the first 10-15W. I’m looking for something that compares sonically with Pass, but I can’t go with Pass again.

I had a demo Pass X250.8 and XP-22 for 1 wk. Sounded beautiful, but the low gain of the XP-22 was too low on several sources to power the X250.8. The Volume had to be turned up to 80/99 for decent levels. Unfortunately, there were also QC issues on the Pass - the hum on the XP-22 was intolerable, and the XLR connectors wobbled on the X250.8. I was told that’s how the XLR plugs are on Pass. It didn’t inspire confidence, so I had to send it back with a restocking fee. So No Pass!
88man
88man OP
28 posts
 
BAT and Parasound JC5 look very desirable! 

Unsound, I sent the dealer a video showing the 5-10 degree of wobble with XLR cables connected. Again, I was told that this is normal for Pass, and that’s why I had to pay the fee. The hum on the XP-22 I used cheaters, shut circuit breakers, plugged into 2 different homes, etc. - same hum! The manufacturer was never involved in the conversation because I bought from the most reputable and largest Pass dealer in the U.S.
Again, sonically the Pass was stellar, however, buying demo equipment - watch out!
invalid
1,187 posts
 
I don't get it, I've never heard of bad XLR connections on pass gear. You should have put a call in to pass to find out what's going on. As far as the gain goes, that is about perfect, you don't want to only use half of your volume control. The gain also can be low if your source is of low voltage. Most systems have to much gain.
88man OP
28 posts
 
Invalid, Listening to Diana Krall CD, I had to turn the XP-22 to 84/99. Same source on different my Odyssey or D. Sachs preamps produced better gain characteristics @10-11 o’clock. Personally, I don’t like turning up the volume beyond 12 o’clock. Here >80% sounds a bit too much where the gain seemed too low for the X250.8, heck almost unity gain like a passive pre. Balanced input was a bit better. 

The X250.8 sounds beautiful - holographic, dynamic, 3D, wide soundstage, refined, extended, etc. If the X250.8 had better XLR connectors, I would’ve easily kept it, and my back would’ve thanked me too. Wow! 100 lbs. was a nightmare to repack! Apparently, wobbly XLR connectors are part of the design to serve as cable stress breakers. That’s where I disagreed politely with the dealer, and sent everything back.
cal3713's avatar
cal3713
1,421 posts
 
Agreed with the many posts here. 

With MIT cables and Pass amplifiers, my XLRs locked in and wouldn't move at all.  Shame on your dealer for claiming that was normal (you should name them so others can avoid). You should not have had to pay a restocking fee to send that back.

And too bad you couldn't figure out where the ground loop was for the preamp.  Again, it's not normal for Pass gear to be affected by this issue (moreso than other equipment).  Of course there's a possibility that this dealer actually sent you a broken unit.  I'm leaning in that direction given everything else included here.
cal3713's avatar
cal3713
1,421 posts
 
Also @unsound makes a very good point.  The *only* reason to be concerned about the gain level on your pre-amp is if you can't make the volume loud enough.  

In a perfect world, you'd be using the preamp with the VC at 100%/full throttle.  This produces the least signal degradation.  Of course that also means that you can't ever turn it up to get more volume, so very few of us actually live in that state.  
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