Dan,
Sorry the XP15 doesn't appear to be working out; I am admittedly surprised that it's noise level is above that of the C2300s, given it's a tube phono stage. OTOH, I remember that Michael Fremer gave the phono stage in the C2300 a stellar review, so it must quite an excellent phono stage.
Serge's offer is most generous; I have a basic model MC/MM EAR834P tube phono stage as you might recall, and it's superb. I think Tim de Paravincini's designs are brilliant, so you may be quite impressed with it.
That being said, I would give the Pass some time to burn in....leave it on for the next few days and come back and give it a re-listen. Something as simple as my Shunyata Hydra 4 sounded pretty dismal when I first got it, but after a week of using it in the Home Theatre system, it really blossomed, and it's just a simple power distributor.
Other phono stages to consider are the Parasound JC3, the new Sutherland 20/20, both of which are reknown for how quiet they are, as well as their sound quality.
Check back in with us in a few days and let us know how the Pass settles in....good luck.
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Lumin P1 streamer/DAC/preamp, Constellation Inspiration integrated TT: Michell Gyro SE MkII, SME V, Koetsu Urushi Vermilion, EAR324. Harbeth 30.2s, REL R-305, Shunyata Alpha V2 ICs, Alpha V2 SPs, Sigma XC, Sigma NRv2, Omega QR-s & Alpha NRv2 PCs, segmented Altaira SG stack w/ Alpha & Omega CGCs, Everest 8000 PD. Remote Server Room: Uptone EtherREGEN, AfterDark Master Clock & LPS, Alita, Battle Angel, (Akasa NUC Roon Core), iFi DC Purifiers (for SMPS used for Alita & router), Shunyata Gemini combo power distributor & Altaira-type CG GP-NR hub, Venom & Alpha CGCs, Shunyata NRv14 power cords for digital components.
Last edited by Puma Cat; 10-04-2011 at 02:14 AM.
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