Pass XP30
 

Hello,

I search a "definitive" :D preamp for my system.

I had the Xp20, ARC REF5se, Ayon,.... btu now at the end the XP30 I think is the best choice.....
(Pass amplifier XA100.8 /and XA100.5 -> speakers Sasha2, cd player Esoteric k07x and Audio Aero Prestige Signature Edition)....streamer from a friend with with Nas)


The Nat Symetrical or a Octave HP700 can be the other "pretenders".....but with the ARC REF5se I dont was much impressed.... (REF6 listen..same as the REF5se....a little up ...but not so loved..)


The Pass Xp30 is for you a good choice? I not sure if I can test this one in my system....:no:)


Thank you for feedback.


greets

Currently have a XP-20 & XA100.5 combo and have been wondering the same. ARC Ref5se, XP-30, others?

I have the same dilemma: Now owning a XP-20 and had for listening session XP-30. I can’t say that I have listen the XP-30 for long session ( only 24 Hrs at least 48 needed according the manuals to come to full potential ) and with different combo XA-60.8
Now own the XA160.5 and want maybe XP-30 if the XP-30 is as in different reviews say more Organic sound.

hello JimmyS,


a XP30 is much more exppensive vs the XP20 or a ARC REF6 (or 5se..)

make sense in sound quality invest $$ for the XP30?

I never listen to Pass XP or ARC Ref. I currently have a CJ ET5 and planning to acquire Pass XA100.5 or XA60.8 to go with the Revel Studio 2. I am happy with the CJ Pre. But I am also curious if it make more sense to go with Pass XP or wondering if the ARC Ref 5SE is also a good match for Pass amp.
Anyone that tried these combo, please share your thoughts

I had a ARC REF5se with the 100.5 and 100.8 but I dont like the ARC ref5se.

a lot of member have the combo ARC REF5se with Pass or others SS amplifier.


before the REF5SE I had the XP20 and was/is a good match. sure tube are more "airy"....but the problem with the ARC is that the frequency dont have any "border"....= sound confused and detailed as with the Pass.

accurate sound all frequecy good "cut rate"

and solid state preamp tube is a widely used solution with good results but

ARC is not so good as everyone says. (IMHO)

ARC with ARC amp is another matter

my hesitation is from a Xp30 (in europa ca. 20k.) vs a tube prempli like Octave HP700 or NAT Symmetrical / Magnetic ....a Nagra Jazz is a good estimate...

Bds, this is not because you had a bad experience with arc preamp, that they are not good. I used a ref5, with a pass xa100.5, i upgraded to ref5se, and it was a grat matching. Now i have upgraded to xa160.5, and it is always great combo. I made comparison at home with xp10, 20 nagra pl, and no one had the musicality, space in 3 dimension or the slam of a ref5.
You speak about confuse, sorry never had this with mine.
As you wrote, many of us have an arc-pass combo, and we are very glad of it. The right question you had to ask to yourselve was, "why doesn't it work well , what is wrong" . Many answers can be found like a problem with a tube, a bad combination with the modulation or power cables. Of course it is easier to say it doesn't match together than to try to find why it doesn't...

jpspock,

ARC in the past was a great "tube" producer... now they "life" with the "glory of the Name ARC".....the last products are FOR ME not so great like before.

sure cabling, ecc.. is important but for my taste ARC tube pre with ARC ampli is sure much better vs pre ARC and a solid state amplifier....

I think that the XP30 is my next premapli. I like more the SS sound. (and a silver cable, expecially speaker cable are too in my list...)

ARC and other tube pre have another sound...(3D, soundstage, airy,.....) but is not always better.

a new REF6 with Pass can give you sure satistaction. i will go with a ss pre. the Xp30 is sure a perfect match with the pass ampli.


SlowikPL : pass .8 vs .5 .....i have the 100.5 an the 100.8 -> the .5 sound more "tubing" but the .8 is faster, precise, .... is not easy decide one or the other....


my dealer say me that i'm crazy if i will go with a 160.5 in place from the .8! "you font need more power ad the .8 are very better from the .5"...
well....Xp20 is very similar at the Xp10. the Xp30 is really a stup up fom the Xp20. the Xp30 if think is my"last preampli.


I have wrote direct to Passlabs USA and Mr. Nelson have say me that he have a Xp20 in your room but the Xp30 is really a very "donut with the hole" in your production....

I agree with your views on the ref5se. Dark, slow and Bloated lacking bass control is what it sounded like when compared to my pass xp20 and GAT.
No wonder the circuit is completely different on the ref6.

What amplifier combination do you use the XP20 in?