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Pre amp for Pass Labs XA30.5 – Tube or SS

I’m updating my system from the bottom up and have settled on the Pass Labs XA30.5 for power amp. The speakers are a pair of Harbeth C7-es3. Now I’m debating between getting a tube or solid state pre amp. Below are the ones I consider:

SS pre amps - Pass XP10, Ayre K-5xeMP

Tube pre amps – Audio Research Ref 3, LS27 used, LS 26, LS-17SE; Conrad Johnson ET-3, ET-3SE used, Premier 17; Leben pre amp.

Can you share your experience in any of these pre-amp with Pass Labs power amps? Any other SS or Tube pre amp that are worth exploring? Obviously, the Audio Research Ref 3 and LS 27 command a higher price.

I’m looking for a good synergy between pre-amp and power with correct output/input impedance matching. Music I listen include: vocal – both female and male, jazz, pop, chamber, symphony, etc. I’m looking for full-body mid, solid bass and extended treble, accurate sound stage, with a focus on vocal presentation.

Any suggestions are appreciated.
r0817
rrfrerichs1950's avatar
rrfrerichs1950
6 posts
 
hi, I own a xa-30.5 and wondered if there are other users that could comment on the banana plug binding posts...although the connections are snug and secure, there is just not enough depth for the plugs to be completely inserted...sounds great, but it's the only amp I've ever owned where the banana plugs are not 100% inserted
onemug
784 posts
 
Rrfrerichs1950,

I just checked my 30.5. The tips of my bananas are 3/4" long and I can insert them all the way. They possibly could go in even farther. I also tried some old Monster Cable bananas and a Radio Shack dual banana and they all went in all the way.

How long are the ones you are trying to insert?

btw, the 30.5 comes new with plastic inserts to keep people in "some' foreign countries from plugging their a/c into them. Did you get your 30.5 new and are you in the USA?
abrew19
146 posts
 
I've tried both SS and tube preamps with my X250.5 and I believe I prefer the solid state for the better bass quality. The x250.5 does bass so well that it's a shame to not have a preamp that can do it justice in this department. Depends on your musical preferences however.

And about speaker binding posts on the Pass Labs amps: use spades not banana plugs. Pass amps are not really designed to be used with bananas.
bo1972's avatar
bo1972
2,789 posts
 
I owned the XP-20 for 2 years. I did a lot of tests in the last 2,5 years with Audyssey Pro. Now with a Onkyo PR-SC5509 with my way of Audyssey Pro measurement it is a lot better with my Pass Labs x250.5 in every aspect. Even wenn I play extrem loud the needle is less moving then witht the XP-20. The stage is wider and deeper. Individual focus is superior to the XP-20. articulation of voices is also superior to what I had with the XP-20. I have to admitt that my way of measurement is totally different than what Audyssey does. Without this, it would be inferior to the XP-20.
r0817 OP
55 posts
 
Happy Thanksgiving! I just want to report back what I settled with for pre-amp.

I picked up a Ayre K-1xe, which has a separate power supply. It's very natrual and neutral sounding pre-amp with excellent resolution and detail. Great synergy with my Pass Labs XA30.5 as well. Another advantage is that I use balanced XLR between them. Recently, I acquired a Audio Research CD7 tube CD player - a very musical and involving player indeed.

Now I'm re-discovering every and each of my CD collections. Let me tell you this - the front end, both the CD player and pre-amp made a tremendous difference in performance in my system.

Thanks for again for your input.
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