Pass Labs amp users: Do you use a tube preamp with your Pass amp ? Which one ? ...
- Thread starter joeinid
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A friend of mine uses ARC REF5SE with his XA100.8's.
he took them back already.
he took them back already. 
cmalak
Active member
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- Apr 10, 2013
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Unless you can find a tube preamp with a very low output impedance, on paper, Pass' relatively low input impedance (20/30 Kohms on RCA/XLR) are not optimal with tube preamps. But that is just on paper. Of course if you can find a tube pre that has a nominal output impedance of <300 ohms and never goes above 1Kohm across the frequency band, then you should be ok.
Jack
Active member
Joe
Does the GAT not work? If not I would contact Kevin Deal or Chris Johnson and pose the same questions having the spec's for the Pass amps in hand.
Does the GAT not work? If not I would contact Kevin Deal or Chris Johnson and pose the same questions having the spec's for the Pass amps in hand.
madfloyd
New member
If you have the .8 series, the input impedance is a much happier, 100kohms!
When I had 160.5's, my Doshi tube pre was a terrible match. With the 160.8's it's a great match.
Jack
Active member
You were curious at one time about the Primaluna, so I would contact Kevin and ask him what he thinks. I was going to buy one, but when I sent my Anthem preamp into Chris Johnson at Parts Connexion to replace the motorized volume control he and I worked out a deal on a completely modified and upgraded Sonic Frontiers Line 2 SE+ and it sounds great.
- Thread Author
- #9
That's great Jack.
I was really only asking to see what balanced tube preamps some are using. I want to move my gear away from my speakers to let them breathe. Using long XLR interconnects would help me do that but it's not 100% necessary.
I was really only asking to see what balanced tube preamps some are using. I want to move my gear away from my speakers to let them breathe. Using long XLR interconnects would help me do that but it's not 100% necessary.
Jack
Active member
Got it.
I use a BAT VK-51se tube preamp with my Pass X250. It's a great combo but I wish the BAT was a bit more tube like. I have always used tube preamps with SS amps. I much prefer the BAT over the Pass X-1 preamp that I had for a few months before selling it and going with the BAT.
The out put impedance of the BAT is about 400 by Stereophile's measurements (which is twice that of what BAT claimed it is) and I believe that I called Pass and they thought I would have no problems using the BAT. I have not noticed any problems but maybe I am not getting 100% out of the Pass because of it. I could be losing some of the low frequency. The input impedance for the X250 is 22 Kohm balanced.
The out put impedance of the BAT is about 400 by Stereophile's measurements (which is twice that of what BAT claimed it is) and I believe that I called Pass and they thought I would have no problems using the BAT. I have not noticed any problems but maybe I am not getting 100% out of the Pass because of it. I could be losing some of the low frequency. The input impedance for the X250 is 22 Kohm balanced.
Audioseduction
Active member
No, I use the Pass Labs XP20 pre.
mep
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That combo should be just dandy.
CDLehner
New member
As I'm getting ready, to change amps to either a Pass 30.8 or 150.8...I was wondering the same thing; what are some nice pre-amp matches?
I currently have an ARC LS-15...and have had my eye open for an LS-25 mkI. The idea is, I wanted to stay with a 6922-based circuit...as the warmth was favorable, with my ARC DS-450.
But with the Pass...and especially the 30.8 IMO...it might almost be too much of a good thing. I'm thinking I could go 6H30 based ARC, like a 26 or above...or one of Pass' pre-amps?
Keep in mind; I could probably only budget, an XP-10 at this point. What's the move?
I currently have an ARC LS-15...and have had my eye open for an LS-25 mkI. The idea is, I wanted to stay with a 6922-based circuit...as the warmth was favorable, with my ARC DS-450.
But with the Pass...and especially the 30.8 IMO...it might almost be too much of a good thing. I'm thinking I could go 6H30 based ARC, like a 26 or above...or one of Pass' pre-amps?
Keep in mind; I could probably only budget, an XP-10 at this point. What's the move?
ARC is a great match for Pass amps. Many of my friends had that combo - until they switched to Pass preamps. I would try the XP10 or try to stretch to the 20 (used).
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CDLehner
New member
Thanks Mike. Man, do I hate that s-word. S T R E T C H :notreally:
+1 on the arc pre, pass power synergy. At least with ref and xa100.5 in my experience. Was a great combo.
BlueFox
New member
Check with Mark at Reno Hi-Fi. He might have a demo XP-20 with new warranty, for a used price. That is how I got mine.
Unfortunately, buying that pre-amp made me buy a pair of X600.5 amps a few months later. Since you already have the amps then you are probably safe.
As as I said earlier, this combo played well with my Aerial 7Ts. They took a lot of power from these amps, but never flinched.
KeithR
Active member
I had an LS25mki- it sucked, big time. Go Ref 2 mki instead.
CDLehner
New member
Mark's running about $6k for his demos; there are mint ones, popping-up on AG around $5k. Of course, Mark has an XP-10, for ~$3400. If anything...that would be more my speed right now. Actually...ZERO is more my speed right now :blush:
I'm telling you fellas...with 2 sets of speakers, and 2 amps to choose from (not to mention the fact, that I'm still "holding" the ARC DS-450); my system slush-fund, is big-time upside-down right now! However, I think I may already have a buyer...for one of the Pass amps; should drive this fella's new Dyn C2 Plats, outstandingly
Hmm
So I guess I'm looking at 26 or above, or give up the glass...and get an XP? So Mike...I guess you're saying these guys, who had ARC and then Pass; preferred the Pass w/Pass?Man, everyone has an opinion on ARC; I've heard the 26 is both awesome, and sucks...lol.