New Pass Pre has arrived.

[Mikem53]

My two scouts on duty watching Out for FedEx

It finally arrived and is breaking in..

I took an early listen, and it sounds thin, narrow/closed in.. Hoping it improves quickly ! I don’t have a dealer nearby, bought it with a trial period, hoping it works out as it has for others and reviewers.. time will tell !

 

[aljordan]

In my experience regarding the once new Pass XP10 preamp I owned a long time ago, it needed to be powered up for five or six days before the sound somewhat filled out. How is it sounding now?

 

[Mikem53]

In my experience regarding the once new Pass XP10 preamp I owned a long time ago, it needed to be powered up for five or six days before the sound somewhat filled out. How is it sounding now?

It’s been a few weeks and it’s sounds very good, thank you. It did take about 6 days before I knew I would keep it. Was interesting hearing it go through the various changes. I believe the metamorphosis is almost complete.. The only power switch is in the back now as Pass suggests Leaving it powered up all the time.

 

[tobiasrankin]

Really? I am surprised you have to leave it on all the time to optimize sound quality. Kind of sucks. I was considering either xp22, xp30 or xp 32.

 

[Mikem53]

Really? I am surprised you have to leave it on all the time to optimize sound quality. Kind of sucks. I was considering either xp22, xp30 or xp 32.

They don’t consume much power and sound better when fully warmed up.

 

[tima]

A tortie and a tabby - nice!

 

[Pieterv]

My two scouts on duty watching Out for FedEx
View attachment 72553
It finally arrived and is breaking in..
View attachment 72554
I took an early listen, and it sounds thin, narrow/closed in.. Hoping it improves quickly ! I don’t have a dealer nearby, bought it with a trial period, hoping it works out as it has for others and reviewers.. time will tell !

That looks a very familiar combination. I've had my XP-12 about 9 months and am really happy. Yes, it did take a week or two to really 'come on song' but once then, it really makes music.

 

[Pieterv]

That looks a very familiar combination. I've had my XP-12 about 9 months and am really happy. Yes, it did take a week or two to really 'come on song' but once then, it really makes music.

Hi Mike
I meant to ask yesterday.
I notice you appear to have the Yggdrasil sitting well up off its shelf. Can I ask, isthat some sort of isolation and if so, what have you used and, how much and what sort of difference has it made? Mine (also black BTW) is on the bottom shelf of a wooden unit which sits on a tiled concrete floor. My 30.8 is similarly placed in the other half of the unit. So far, in regard to isolation, I had figured the only vibration in the system could be airborne. But.......
Regards
P

 

[Mikem53]

A tortie and a tabby - nice!

Thanks ! My listening

Hi Mike
I meant to ask yesterday. I notice you appear to have the Yggdrasil sitting well up off its shelf. Is that some sort of isolation and if so, how much and what sort of difference has it made? Mine (also black BTW) is on the bottom shelf of a wooden unit which sits on a tiled concrete floor. My 30.8 is similarly placed in the other half of the unit. So far, in regard to isolation, I had figured the only vibration in the system could be airborne. But.......
Regards
P

I recently put the yggy on some Symposium Rollerblock Jrs. I had used the regular rollerblocks years ago when they first came out. These were inexpensive at $179 from Galen Carol audio. It looks better and gets more air circulating underneath, can't attest to any immediate sonic changes, but these modest tweaks take me a bit of time to comprehend.
That picture is old, those are some Maple Shade brass points.. I need to add a new pic.

 

[Pieterv]

Thank you for the info. I'll have a look into it - maybe someone is stocking them here in Australia. In the meantime I'm still getting used to the difference I'm hearing compared to my previous amp as the XA30.8 clocked up 500 hours last week. This is one device you really can believe all the reviews. I didn't know my speakers could sound as good.

 

[Mikem53]

Thank you for the info. I'll have a look into it - maybe someone is stocking them here in Australia. In the meantime I'm still getting used to the difference I'm hearing compared to my previous amp as the XA30.8 clocked up 500 hours last week. This is one device you really can believe all the reviews. I didn't know my speakers could sound as good.

You’re welcome! I added another picture with the symposium rollerblocks. I haven’t heard the 30.8, but know of many happy users and reviewers who made it their reference amp. Enjoy!

 

[tobiasrankin]

@Mikem53 Have you compared the XP12 to any tube preamps? Wonder if the pass SS preamps have some tube like qualities.

 

[Mikem53]

@Mikem53 Have you compared the XP12 to any tube preamps? Wonder if the pass SS preamps have some tube like qualities.

I was using the Schiit Freya+ with the XA25 and a Transformer based passive line stage.
The Freya+ wasn’t resolving enough.. I was missing out ! The passive is very revealing and sounded great, but there aren’t enough steps on the attenuation for my needs, a bit too crude.
The Pass XP12 is very good! It doesn’t beg the question if it’s tubes or SS, it just sounds like music..
Its very focused and detailed, yet never distracting in any area.. It’s musical !
It has a similar sound that my BAT VK5i had with tubes, fast clean and not leaning towards “tubey”.
The XP12 has the best pin point imaging I’ve ever experienced. I was hesitant to go SS with the preamp with a SS amp.. My fears were unfounded and I’m very pleased with my current sound.. Glad I was able To get past my preconceived notions and give the XP12 an audition.
I have a First Watt SIT-3 amp on its way.. will see how that works too with the XP12.

 

[PeterA]

Mikem53, I will be very curious to hear your impressions of the differences between the XA 25 and the SIT3.

 

[Mikem53]

Mikem53, I will be very curious to hear your impressions of the differences between the XA 25 and the SIT3.

Me Too Peter! I heard there was only 10 or so SIT3 amps left and no more will be produced. I had to hear for myself after reading about this amp.. Its scheduled to be delivered in 2 days. Since I moved my amp between the speakers on an amp stand, changing out amps will be easy as I dont plan on giving up the XA25.

 

[tobiasrankin]

Really tempted to get Pass XP right now! But Terry London's review of the Coda 07x is quite compelling to.

 

[Mikem53]

Really tempted to get Pass XP right now! But Terry London's review of the Coda 07x is quite compelling to.

Good Morning ! I haven’t heard the Coda, it does look interesting.. Yet when you look at the internals of each, I can’t help notice the large overbuilt power supplies used in the Pass and other discrete surface mounted components as compared to the Coda.. I Like Pass as they Overbuild their products for the long haul and seem To be a good value for the money as well when compared to others..
Some nice choices in this price range... Good luck! Let us know what you try..

 

[tobiasrankin]

Good Morning ! I haven’t heard the Coda, it does look interesting.. Yet when you look at the internals of each, I can’t help notice the large overbuilt power supplies used in the Pass and other discrete surface mounted components as compared to the Coda.. I Like Pass as they Overbuild their products for the long haul and seem To be a good value for the money as well when compared to others..
Some nice choices in this price range... Good luck! Let us know what you try..

This is what im struggling with. I know just looking at internals is not a good way of evaluating gear... but the coda looks very rudimentary compared to the exceptionally well/over build pass labs pre.

 

[Mikem53]

So he SIT3 arrived yesterday. It has less mass to it than the similarly sized XA25, about 18 lbs less.
Its been on for 21 hours now as I’m sitting here listening. My wife sat and listened to Sara McLachlan
grace the room with “Angel”. She pointed what I too was hearing in the vocals and the soundstage. A purity that stands out.. more when it’s broken in, but sounds promising..
The SIT3 needs about 9db more to reach similar levels of the XA. It Plays louder than I would listen to before I hit unity gain at 89db. When playing Ben Webster meets Oscar peterson, I needed to turn it up in the mid 80’s for some good volume. Most recordings are at about mid 70db or so for my listening level.

 

[KeithR]

should be very interesting on your efficient Daedalus.

have an XA25 that just landed for fun and will throw on a few different systems including Zu and PBN. the owner of the latter has a SIT-3.