Xs preamp

Bruce B · Jul 31, 2014

Frank750 said:
$38,000.00

Isn't that about the same price as the Dartzeel that comes with phono?

Frank750 · Jul 31, 2014

joeinid said:
Thank you Frank! I appreciate your findings.

And Joe, Pass goes great with Sonus Faber! How can you not have a Pass amp or pre amp in that stable of your's?

joeinid · Jul 31, 2014

Hahahahahahaha

Don't think that hasn't crossed my mind

XP-30 plus XA-60.5's could be fun on the Strads

Frank750 said:
And Joe, Pass goes great with Sonus Faber! How can you not have a Pass amp or pre amp in that stable of your's?

Frank750 · Jul 31, 2014

Bruce B said:
Isn't that about the same price as the Dartzeel that comes with phono?

I think the Dartzeel is under $30,000.

Frank750 · Jul 31, 2014

joeinid said:
Hahahahahahaha

Don't think that hasn't crossed my mind

XP-30 plus XA-60.5's could be fun on the Strads

I think you'd need a little more power.

joeinid · Jul 31, 2014

I think I'd be okay with that. I don't play very loud and the Strads are 92 dB efficient.

Frank750 said:
I think you'd need a little more power.

MadFloyd · Jul 31, 2014

Frank750 said:
I had them side by side.

The Xs is significantly better but it also depends on the rest of your system. When I listened to the Xs Pre amp and XP30 with XA100.5s, the differences were there but not as clearly as when the Xs300s were on the other end.

The Xs Pre amp is more open and natural. Better bass definition. The XP30 sounds like it has a little glare in the midrange and highs in comparison.
Soundstage is better defined as in your ability to hear individual players in their own space on a real or imaginary stage is further enhanced with the Xs in comparison to the XP30. I'm in my office right now. Can't remember everything.

As always, everyone has an opinion. What's important to me or what I see as being worth the extra money might not be as important to someone else.
The XP30 is an excellent preamp but the Xs is better in every regard. Is it worth more than double the price of the XP30?

Oh, somehow I thought you had went from the XP-30 to ARC and then to the XS-pre. Didn't realize you had them both at the same time.

At some point I hope to do my own side-by-side comparison. If the XS has less glare than the XP-30 it would make me very happy.

LL21 · Jul 31, 2014

joeinid said:
I think I'd be okay with that. I don't play very loud and the Strads are 92 dB efficient.

In my own experience, adding a huge amount of power behind the Strads comes thru even at low volumes. It is the bass punch and power even at low levels...it is the exceptional clarity that comes from giving the Strads unlimited juice to keep entire musical sections clear, effortless, delineated, etc...It really does respond well to lots of power. I cannot say I gave it the world's most powerful amp or anything, but I have heard it with many amps, and the Gryphon Antileon did make a remarkable change in how it presented itself...again, even at low volumes.

It suddenly seems to have greater composure during complex passages. my two cents...

Frank750 · Jul 31, 2014

MadFloyd said:
Oh, somehow I thought you had went from the XP-30 to ARC and then to the XS-pre. Didn't realize you had them both at the same time.

At some point I hope to do my own side-by-side comparison. If the XS has less glare than the XP-30 it would make me very happy.

Had the ARC too. I'm a pre amp hog.
My dealer is a Pass and ARC dealer.

joeinid · Jul 31, 2014

Thanks Lloyd,

I remember you and, I think, others saying Strads benefit from a little juice.

LL21 said:
In my own experience, adding a huge amount of power behind the Strads comes thru even at low volumes. It is the bass punch and power even at low levels...it is the exceptional clarity that comes from giving the Strads unlimited juice to keep entire musical sections clear, effortless, delineated, etc...It really does respond well to lots of power. I cannot say I gave it the world's most powerful amp or anything, but I have heard it with many amps, and the Gryphon Antileon did make a remarkable change in how it presented itself...again, even at low volumes.

It suddenly seems to have greater composure during complex passages. my two cents...

LL21 · Jul 31, 2014

joeinid said:
Thanks Lloyd,

I remember you and, I think, others saying Strads benefit from a little juice.

Hey Joe,

Yes, I have said this a few times...but in your case, I think you most likely have one of the all-time great pairings (your full CJ setup). Certainly, it is a very high bar of performance you will set there when the Strads arrive.

joeinid · Jul 31, 2014

I am sorry for this going off topic and I'll respond appropriately if necessary in another thread.

Lloyd,

The CJ will be outstanding, for tubes. I want the right solid state for more casual listening. I hate to see all those tubes glowing for background music

.

LL21 said:
Hey Joe,

Yes, I have said this a few times...but in your case, I think you most likely have one of the all-time great pairings (your full CJ setup). Certainly, it is a very high bar of performance you will set there when the Strads arrive.

Bruce B · Dec 22, 2014

I see there is an XS pre already for sale on A'gon...

Pass XS Pre-amp

rockitman · Dec 22, 2014

Bruce B said:
I see there is an XS pre already for sale on A'gon...

Pass XS Pre-amp

That caught my eye too. I think I am going to trade both my XP30 and XP25 and get the XS purchase over with.

thedudeabides · Jan 7, 2015

Christian,

Mark at Reno Hi Fi can offer some very competitive pricing with a 2 week return option.

Suggest you contact him on XS pre options.

rockitman · Jan 7, 2015

thedudeabides said:
Christian,

Mark at Reno Hi Fi can offer some very competitive pricing with a 2 week return option.

Suggest you contact him on XS pre options.

Yup..bought all my Pass gear through him. I will be talking to him soon about the XS pre.

MadFloyd · Jan 7, 2015

rockitman said:
Yup..bought all my Pass gear through him. I will be talking to him soon about the XS pre.

I hope you audition it. Would love to know your thoughts/preferences vs the XP-30.

rockitman · Jan 7, 2015

MadFloyd said:
I hope you audition it. Would love to know your thoughts/preferences vs the XP-30.

I plan On it . If it doesn't blow the xp30 away in all categories....I will be disappointed. That said, the xs pre should sound best with xs amps.

thedudeabides · Jan 8, 2015

Given the current "level" of your system, I'm not sure if that's possible.

Curious as to your thoughts should you choose to pursue.

rockitman · Jan 13, 2015

Just ordered an XS Preamp today. Should be here by Friday. I was able to trade in both my XP-30 and XP-25. It is a lightly used demo and comes with a full new 3 year warranty. I am excited I finally made a preamp decision ! Now the system is done from a component standpoint anyway...LOL

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