Xs preamp

[VPN]

Just installed the XS Pre. It's been plugged in for an hour and the XP30 is going back in the box. No need for a/b repeated comparisons. Initial impressions:
Music has more body, frequency extremes more extended, articulate and refined. I can't wait for it to settle in after a couple days...

Hello Christian,

How is your Pass Xs Preamp sounding now compared to XP30?
Thanks,

VPN

 

[ozy]

Just got an xs pre ,and after 28 hours of warm up and playing, ihave only this to say- unf*****real!

 

[PeterA]

Just got an xs pre ,and after 28 hours of warm up and playing, ihave only this to say- unf*****real!

Congratulations, ozy. The XS PRE is the best preamp that I have ever heard, in my admittedly limited experience. Do you have the XS amps also and what kind of cables are you using?

 

[ozy]

PeterA, the xs amps are coming soon... not sure yet when...

i use siltech cables thruout my system. just added recently the triple-crown i/cs from dac to preamp, and from preamp to amps......

to my ears, the xs pre sounds very tuby and wholesome.

 

[Sammy T]

The Pass Labs XS Preamp is truly amazing in all regards , it replaced my 5 year old Ayre KX-R .

 

[MadFloyd]

The Pass Labs XS Preamp is truly amazing in all regards , it replaced my 5 year old Ayre KX-R .

So is the KX-R.

 

[Sammy T]

This you might find interesting, use of the remote control on Pass Labs XS Preamp . Surprising there are no ill effects in sound quality , using the remote to change volume levels. I found this not to be the case with my old Ayre KX-R preamp. Use of the remote , turned on the display added a bit of haze to the music mix. The effect was very noticeable .... remote stayed in the drawer.

 

[MadFloyd]

This you might find interesting, use of the remote control on Pass Labs XS Preamp . Surprising there are no ill effects in sound quality , using the remote to change volume levels. I found this not to be the case with my old Ayre KX-R preamp. Use of the remote , turned on the display added a bit of haze to the music mix. The effect was very noticeable .... remote stayed in the drawer.

That IS interesting. So when you used the remote on the KX-R and it caused the display to turn on, did it not turn off a second or so later and with it the haze?

 

[Sammy T]

Yes, the haze did fade away after the display turned off. Using the volume controls directly on the Ayre preamp did Not introduce any noticeable haze to the music.

 

[MadFloyd]

Yes, the haze did fade away after the display turned off. Using the volume controls directly on the Ayre preamp did Not introduce any noticeable haze to the music.

Thanks, Sammy. There are a number of manufacturers who claim adding a remote control function degrades the sound. While I'm sure it depends on the exact implementation, this seems to be an example of one that isn't ideal.

Enjoy your XS. It's a fantastic preamp.

 

[Sammy T]

MadFloyd, how much do you like your XS Phono stage?

 

[MadFloyd]

MadFloyd, how much do you like your XS Phono stage?

A lot. It's like the XP-25 on steroids. Detail is incredible all throughout. Bass is deeper and clearer. Layers of separation for complex music is fantastic. As you would expect for something that costs 3-4x.

That said, I'm selling all my Pass XS gear (I own the XS-150's as well) as I want to try tubes and can't afford to keep everything.

 

[Sammy T]

Tubes??.... Ypsilon , preamp, and phono Would be one of my picks . Power amps stick with Pass labs . How much for the XS Phono?

 

[ack]

A lot. It's like the XP-25 on steroids. Detail is incredible all throughout. Bass is deeper and clearer. Layers of separation for complex music is fantastic. As you would expect for something that costs 3-4x.

That said, I'm selling all my Pass XS gear (I own the XS-150's as well) as I want to try tubes and can't afford to keep everything.

I want your XS Phono (and your M-Pros; after all, you are getting S7s - a much better speaker Ian, isn't that true)

 

[MadFloyd]

I want your XS Phono (and your M-Pros; after all, you are getting S7s - a much better speaker Ian, isn't that true)

Heh heh. Speaking of Magico, I heard your next speaker this past Saturday, ack - it was VERY impressive.

 

[ack]

Heh heh. Speaking of Magico, I heard your next speaker this past Saturday, ack - it was VERY impressive.

Yeah I read your report, thanks for that; it's got everyone's juices flowing. What a great PR for Magico, to host this event - they are thinking out of the box, unlike my other favorite electronics vendor, out in Sunnyvale

 

[analog brother]

That said, I'm selling all my Pass XS gear (I own the XS-150's as well) as I want to try tubes and can't afford to keep everything.

don't sell xs'
that would most certainly be a faux pas.
add the tubes and keep it all for mad combos, according to music being played.
can't afford?
sell a spare car, some scotch, or something.
sell magico and get clx or kaiser kawero or alexia, but don't sell pass.

 

[MadFloyd]

don't sell xs'
that would most certainly be a faux pas.
add the tubes and keep it all for mad combos, according to music being played.
can't afford?
sell a spare car, some scotch, or something.
sell magico and get clx or kaiser kawero or alexia, but don't sell pass.

Probably sage advice about the Pass XS, but can't agree with you on Magico. Mine aren't going anywhere. And as for the Alexia, already been there and done that.

 

[microstrip]

Thanks, Sammy. There are a number of manufacturers who claim adding a remote control function degrades the sound. While I'm sure it depends on the exact implementation, this seems to be an example of one that isn't ideal.

As you say it depends on the implementation. IMHO adding a step motor with a belt and a controller that is not powered when the volume is not being actuated, as done by manufacturers such as Atmasphere or Ayre, will not affect sound quality.

 

[analog brother]

ok - didn't know you already tried alexia.
she is very amp and room dependent imo. can go either way.