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Good Matching Preamp with Pass Labs X350

I am using Sphnix Project 8 preamp with Pass Labs X350 power amp, but miss the warm and harmonically rich sound generated by my previous tube gear. I am thinking of replacing the preamp with a tube preamp. Any suggestion that can bring back the previous lovely sound? Audio Note M3, Conrad Johnson LS17? Or any others? I am afraid of Hovalnd HP100, which looks marvellous but the some 23-steps volumne control gives too little flexibility. Thanks.

Hififan
chantaiman
overhang
199 posts
 
Try to find Conrad-johnson PFR.You'll get your magic back plus some.Actually i used it with my Pass X250,then for some reason sold the preamp.I tried Pass X1,CJ Premier 18,Cary SLp 98 and was never even close to what i had before.I am on lookout for PFR myself (there is none on Agon now) but you can beat me to it because i usually check it only once at the end of the day.Good luck.
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nickt
172 posts
 
A friend of mine who has the Pass x250.5 just put a Cary SLP-05 into his system. We listened to Miles Davis "Take Five". It was pretty amazing. I have heard this cd at least 20x and I never thought it could sound this good!
tgyeti
84 posts
 
I love my Pass Labs X1 preamp. I'm using it with my MF A308cr but may be replacing the MF with a Pass X250 soon. It's not a tube pre, but you'd have that "synergy" thing goin', matted with your X350.
jwc37
38 posts
 
I have used two preamps that worked very well with my X250 - The BAT VK31SE and the Jeff Rowland Concerto. I now own the Jeff Rowland and prefer it to the BAT but I cannot fault the tube preamp. The solid state Jeff Rowland is an excellent preamp with the X250; a great deal of detail and yet not "in your face" and excellent sound staging and bass definition.
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