Good match preamp for Pass labs 250.5

I once emailed Nelson Pass a question about matching tube preamps with the X-series amps. He reported that customers had good results with a wide range of preamps. The Audible Illusion preamps were the only ones that seemed to be a problematic match with the Pass amps.

Go buy a Pass X-1 and be done with it. The quality of sound, customer service and experience will not be beaten. I own all pass equipment and love it.

I've just bought the X350.5. Am waiting for it to show up at my door any day now. Another friend also has the X350.5 and paired it with both an ARC Ref 2 Mk I and a Pass X0.2. We were over there the other day trying to help him decide which preamp to keep. It was a hard decision as some music sounded better with one than the other. The Pass actually sounded warmer and more natural than the ARC. It was a toss up. We would be happy with either one. At the end we voted for the ARC as it allows you to modify the sound with NOS tubes.

I will be mating mine with an ARC LS-25 Mk I with GNSC's (Great Northern Sound Company) reference level mod and a set of white label Amperex 7308 tubes.

FrankC

Hi everyone,
Thank you for you guys responds. After I posted the question, I have tried four different preamp. First, I tried the ARC LS-25 MK I, but I did not like it because sound was not forward, may be it was not my type. Second, I tried the Simaudio moon P-3, I like this better than the ARC, sound was more dynamic. Third, because I like the P-3, then I had good opportunity to buy a Simaudio P-5 LE with fairly low price from a local audiogoner. I love it, it brings my 250.5 to another level. But few weeks ago, one of my audiophile friends bring his X-1 to my house and I like the X-1 better. I don't know the X-1 can really beat the P-5 LE, but they definitely have better match. So I finally bought a X-1 two weeks ago and plan to buy a Xono later. make all Pass stuffs.
Thank you for you guys responds.

Frank
I would say you should consider upgrading your speakers. The 250.5 is a lot of amp for 804's which are comparatively small speakers. It could easily drive 802 d's or n's.