Has anyone heard the new Pass Labs XP-15 phono?

Hi, Peter,
I'm not really in the know on all this, so I wouldn't go by anything I say. I thought the last two preamps out by Pass were very lame, although I loved the remote. They should make that into a universal variety. And the new amp, well, considering all the rave reviews by people I like to read, a huge disappointment, at least in the setting I heard it in, which was all the new gear mentioned and their wire. If others like that type of sound then that's great. It just misses the point of making music for me. I thought the new phono allowed the music to really flow, it was very open. I've not heard the Xono, I've been told it's a nono :).
I'll say it once more, the reason I posted earlier about the amp on another thread was the shock of actually getting to hear something ravely reviewed, from a company that seems wonderful, and then having it turn out to be a dud. Not that that's a unique situation by any means.
So in your case, Peter, I would definitely audition the new phono. At least we could probably agree on that.

Hello Chashas1. I appreciate your comments, but you did not answer my question. The Pass amp and preamp are beside the point. I would like to learn more about the new phono stage. What system did you hear the XP-15 in and what did you like about its sound? I am considering getting it and you've said you liked it, but you haven't given any details beyond it "allowed the music to really flow". I would like to know the context. Did you compare it to any other phono stages? I can't really audition it because there are no Pass dealers in the Boston area. If you would rather not comment further, that's fine. Thanks.

Hi Peter,
Okay, the system I heard it in that might interest you was all pass, the new preamp, the new highly reviewed amp, and the pass wires, with different speakers. I also heard it in several systems with various gear, all great gear IMO.
It was great in every system, and I've heard various phono stages over the years, and this one really made you want it, made you realize how important a great phono stage is. I mean, you spend good money on preamp, amp, cartridge, the phono stage needs to be in that league as well. The direct current comparison would be with a dynavector preamp, the L300, with built in phono stage, a great one in its own right, much much better than the dynavector p-75. And then also compared to the newer Crimson 710 preamp, also containing built in phono, one of my fav preamps, quite a delight this british preamp. It trounced, trounced the pass preamps by very good measure. Yet, the pass phono bested it. I believe someone responded to the amp thread said they thought the Xono to be very boring, but hadn't heard the new one yet.
I just can't see how you could go wrong with it, buying blindly. The ease of cartridge loading was also a plus.
And I guess you know Pass is coming out with a twoboxer later in the year, for much more money, around $8k I think?
So, I hope I've answered your questions. All my instincts, and my listening panels's as well say it's great, we covet it. What more can I say?

>>06-22-09: Chashas1
Hi Peter,
Okay, the system I heard it in that might interest you was all pass, the new preamp, the new highly reviewed amp, and the pass wires<<

Which Pass wires did you hear?

Thanks in advance.

Hi AudioFeil, I'll have to ask my friend. The cables were furnished by Pass, that's all I know. I didn't inspect anything closely, I don't like the looks of their gear, except for the remote. I just listened. Even when the phono stage was at my house, I just ignored it. :)