Pass Labs XP-30 preamp?

[Frank750]

Vassago, how would you compare the XS to the XA.5 or other amps you have used?

thanks,
Frank

 

[rockitman]

Vassago, how would you compare the XS to the XA.5 or other amps you have used?

thanks,
Frank

yes, please share your experiences...

 

[Johngp]

I third that, let's hear your thoughts on them.

 

[LL21]

agree! look forward to reading...

 

[rbbert]

Apparently these amps are selling beyond expected numbers, after being available for less than one month

 

[rockitman]

The XP-30 is on the new TAS covershot with a review by Dick Olsher (Tube guy). He loves it !

 

[Johngp]

Is the issue out yet? Haven't gotten mine yet if it is.....

 

[rockitman]

Is the issue out yet? Haven't gotten mine yet if it is.....

yes, I got mine in the mail yesterday...

 

[Johngp]

Maybe mine is sitting in the box today, will check after work. Thanks Christian!

 

[slowGEEZR]

Looks like no review/comparison of XS to XA.5 series. Whew! I've just had my XA100.5 for a week now and didn't really need to read how the XS betters it.

 

[kevinh]

I havn't heard the amp. However I have followed the story of the amp over at DiyAudio.

Nelson started using Power Fets from a company called SemiSouth. These are different critters
than the typical MosFets, they are more of a power version of the Fets he uses in his pre amps.

He worked with SemiSouth and commissioned a Type of PowerFet called a Static Induction Transistor,
Sony made some a few years ago but these have a higher power handling capability.

The transfer curve on these babies looks like a DHT, think 300B or 45.

He is making a couple of low power (10W/8ohn) First Watt amps.

Had to cost at least a few hundred thousand dollars to have a semiconductor line set
up to produce these Fet's. I've never heard of an audio company having Semiconductors
designed for their product.


Link to Nelson's description of the device: http://firstwatt.com/sitintro.html

Love to hear them. Could be special.

 

[asiufy]

Is he using those on the new Pass amps as well, or just on First Watt? The article on the link says the order was putt by First Watt...

 

[kevinh]

Is he using those on the new Pass amps as well, or just on First Watt? The article on the link says the order was putt by First Watt...

THe XS is using these SIT device, hence the price of the amps. I believe the First Watt amps using the SIT's are only using 1 per ch. The XS is a different kettle of fish.


First Watt (IMO) is N Pass's place to try out different topologies in low power formats. The design's has been released to the diy community after the production runs of the First watt products is complete. He is very kind to the DIY community encouraging people to mod his designs and try different things. Great guy.

First Watt is a part of Pass LAbs.

 

[asiufy]

Yes, I understood the relation between the two companies, that's why I was wondering if FW's experiments ended up on the new XS series amps.
Are you sure about this, as there's no indication whatsoever in the XS series literature...


alexandre

 

[kevinh]

Yes, I understood the relation between the two companies, that's why I was wondering if FW's experiments ended up on the new XS series amps.
Are you sure about this, as there's no indication whatsoever in the XS series literature...


alexandre

They allude to examining different types of Output devices, and NP went to the trouble of having these devices made up.

I will check into it and verify.

 

[Bruce B]

Are these 240v?

 

[KeithR]

I've had the SIT in for demo at the house. Interesting amp.

But he hasn't used them in Pass Labs amps from what sixmoons says. He says in the manual i believe that he's looking forward to incorporating them later. So I believe its just been a FirstWatt thing to date.

 

[kevinh]

I've had the SIT in for demo at the house. Interesting amp.

But he hasn't used them in Pass Labs amps from what sixmoons says. He says in the manual i believe that he's looking forward to incorporating them later. So I believe its just been a FirstWatt thing to date.

Wasn't the six moons review of the First Watt SIT amp prior to the XS being shown at CES this year?

 

[kevinh]

I've had the SIT in for demo at the house. Interesting amp.

But he hasn't used them in Pass Labs amps from what sixmoons says. He says in the manual i believe that he's looking forward to incorporating them later. So I believe its just been a FirstWatt thing to date.

Wasn't the six moons review of the First Watt SIT amp prior to the XS being shown at CES this year?

 

[kevinh]

NP confirmed that he is not using the SIT devices in the XS amps due to limitations of the power handling
of those devices, he saif he is using somethiong different "tailored to get some of the same effects".