Wyred 4 Sound STP Special Edition Vs. Pass X-1

Vinw-
I did get the Calypso. I have only had it for about 24 hours and am working out the bugs. It is used, so it is already broken in. I am really happy with the sound as of yet. It sounds so different from the X-1 I can't get over it. I love my X-1, don't get me wrong. The Calypso is so much more involving. It has great detail and bass like the Pass, but with air and bloom. The sounds really have an air around them. The balance control is not as fully "balance-able" as on the X-1, and the X-1's unity gain works better, although this may be because I have not figured it out properly on the Calypso.

Srwooten,

I appreciate your initial thoughts, and agree that both preamps totally sound different and each has its own wonderful character and tonality. Keep us updated. Thanks!

I got my X1 back but I'd been spending a bit of time experimenting with it. Still need more time to burn it in.

My X1 actually had a bit more done to it than a simple checkup. The intelligence of Nelson's and Wayne's design became apparent when I asked if I could get a gain reduction in the low gain stage. Apparently the X1 is easily modfied to do this, so I had it done. I was getting too much total gain in my setup, so that I was maxing out my listening volume at very low control settings (this was with the 4dB gain setting). What makes the mods so sweet is that it can be configured afterward (by the owner) so that some of the gain reduction can be removed by a simple movement of mainboard jumpers. Not too shabby, although you'd do this at your own risk of course.

What I can say now that I got it back is that I can hear things more clearly at very low volume levels. Before, there was less of an ability to pick out small bits of detail. Now it seems I can hear things down there that I hadn't been able to before. At higher volumes the sense of clarity is also there. Additionally, of course, I now have a much more gain-friendly preamp for my setup and a much broader range of adjustment.

That and the usual praise for Pass customer support. They are one of the best companies I have ever dealt with as far as customer care is concerned. You can tell it's one of their basic tenents. If for that alone I would not think twice about considering another hunk of Pass gear.

I missed the bloom with my C220 but I can hear so much more of the music with the X1. Don't get me wrong, I love tubes, I just always got too much noise with them in the preamp. I could never find tubes quiet enough with no glare. I do love the sound they make though, I have that in the amp which is nice

Owned the X-1 in 2005. Had it for four months. Sold it. In terms of speed. Too slow. Compared it to my Parasound PLD-2000, the best Pre-Amp ever made for Parasound by Curl. Gold boards and Black Gate Caps. Fast as hell and more dynamic than the X-1 but on the cold side. Also sold it. The Wyred 4 Sound STP-SE is constantly compared to $ 10K
Pre-Amps. Several of my friends own the STP-SE, and it is about the best SS design ever under $ 10K in twenty years and as dead quiet as the Levinson 32. Based on my friends
use of the STP-SE and their experience with the X-1, the STP-SE has greater echo decay and 3-D imaging and bass performance superior to the X-1. I'll be purchasing the STP-SE with the Wyred 4 Sound SX-1000 monos and hooking up
to my Acoustic Zen Crescendos. During the past three years,the Wyred 4 Sound products have generated more positive buzz in threads, blogs and forums than any other solid state devices I have come across in my 35 years as a
Audiophile. The STP-SE with its massive power supply and price at $ 2K, is a steal. For whats under the hood and its performance level, it has no match in its price range,
even if it sold for double the price, its that damn good.