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Pass Labs 20 Years and Counting

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  #21  
Old 10-04-2011, 02:16 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by turntable View Post

I have experienced it before with SS phono's, hence the continued use of ste up transformers in both SS and tube phono stages.
Truer words were never spoken about using step-up transformers. Personally, with my experience with my Koetsu and my Shelter, I wouldn't consider using a moving coil without one anymore. Just as I wouldn't have a system without a sub in it.
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  #22  
Old 10-04-2011, 07:34 AM
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Dan, sorry to hear your having issues with your phono preamp.

Maybe this shows that your search for a great phono stage has ended with the one in you already have in the C2300.
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  #23  
Old 10-04-2011, 07:39 AM
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Originally Posted by C220MC275 View Post
+1 !

I told you the same thing Dan. Sorry that the Pass did not meet your expectations.
The C2300 phono stage is very very good. Not only for the sound itself but the noise floor is very low.
It is very kind of Serge to let you try the EAR.
That is very true, especially in MC mode.
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  #24  
Old 10-04-2011, 08:26 AM
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Dan,

Sometimes the enemy of good is better and in this case you have learned that the phono stage in your C2300 is as good as a separate $3800 phono stage . Since a MC cartridge needs more gain than a MM cartridge and acts like a microphone when it is sitting there, you will likely hear some noise when nothing is playing with any phono stage, while the volume control is turned up. I have learned to press the mute button when I get up to flip my LP's and turn it off when I am back in the listening chair. It sounds dumb but it works, I do not hear any background noise
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  #25  
Old 10-04-2011, 10:08 AM
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Dan has the sound changed at all from yesterday?
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  #26  
Old 10-04-2011, 02:25 PM
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Stephen.......Had I left the stock McIntosh tubes in the phono stage of the C2300 the Pass Labs XP-15 would be quieter, but with the Telefunken 12AX7's in the C2300 phono stage the noise floor is much quieter than stock, and quieter than the Pass Labs XP-15.

The XP-15 has been energized since 6 PM last night. There is no power switch, so it stays on continuously. I have 11 hours of music played through it from last night to now. It is a fine sounding phono preamp. The dry edge has melted to some degree from last night to today, but the noise floor is still higher than the C2300 phono stage and I don't believe this is going to change. When music is playing, the difference in the noise floor between the XP-15 and the C2300 is not noticeable, but with no signal it is apparent the XP-15 is not as quiet. This is what bothers me, and has dampened my enthusiasm for the Pass Labs phono preamp.

I went through all the different connections schemes suggested last night. Serge suggested I lift one of the two ground wires on the SME interconnects. Lifting either one introduced a low level hum, and both needed to be grounded for this to disappear. Shane suggested I try single ended interconnects, so I swapped the balanced Wireworld Silver Eclipse for single ended Wireworld Silver Eclipse. This made no difference in the noise floor between the XP-15 and the C2300 so I returned to the balance interconnects.

Perhaps I should be less concerned about the difference in noise floor between the XP-15 and the C2300 if I cannot hear it while music is playing, but my nature will not accept this, and certainly not for the cost of the XP-15 versus what I already own and is included in the C2300. The Pass Labs XP-15 is not living up to my expectations, so I am returning it. I will continue to use the C2300 phono stage preamp, at least for now.
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  #27  
Old 10-04-2011, 02:51 PM
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Dan,

Sorry to hear this did not work out for you. At least you have the option to return it and only be out the shipping cost and some time.
Sure beats having to sell it and take a loss.

I am sure you will find the solution that meets your needs in the near future and besides, what you have currently is pretty darn good.
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  #28  
Old 10-04-2011, 02:55 PM
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Buddy.......After comparing the XP-15 to the moving coil phono stage in the C2300 I am more impressed than ever with the C2300. It is a very clean MC phono stage. I plan to sit tight for awhile.
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STUDIO - McIntosh C1000C/P, MC2301 (2), MR88, Aurender N10, Esoteric K-01X, Shunyata Sigma spdif digital cable, Sonos Connect, PurePower 2000, Stillpoints, Furutech Flux 50, Michell Gyro SE, Michell HR Power Supply, SME 309, Ortofon Cadenza Black, Wireworld, Sonus faber Amati Anniversario
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  #29  
Old 10-04-2011, 03:28 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 1KW
Dan,

Sometimes the enemy of good is better and in this case you have learned that the phono stage in your C2300 is as good as a separate $3800 phono stage . Since a MC cartridge needs more gain than a MM cartridge and acts like a microphone when it is sitting there, you will likely hear some noise when nothing is playing with any phono stage, while the volume control is turned up. I have learned to press the mute button when I get up to flip my LP's and turn it off when I am back in the listening chair. It sounds dumb but it works, I do not hear any background noise
David,
You may have a faulty tube.
The phonostage of the 2300 should be very quiet.
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  #30  
Old 10-04-2011, 04:50 PM
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Dan,
What a disappointment! Sorry it did not work out for you, The search continues. :^)
Best of luck,
Jim
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