Pass Labs Purchase

[Feanor]

When looking at the ARC be sure the description mentions balanced circuits, most ARC preamps offer XLR connections but not all are balanced. Feanor's is balanced.

Do the 150.5 have the knobs on the back for the speaker terminals same as X250? Levinson has the same type.

The Pass gear is really good, especially in transparency, resolution and detail, BJC cables are great even beyond their cost but to get full benefit from the Pass you need better cables, including a nice power cable. If you can't swing Clarus, then I recommend the Triode, I heard one and it's similar to the Clarus Crimson in character but not as good, but we were comparing a smaller gauge Triode so not exactly fair.

The X150.5 has standard 5-way posts. I'm using banana plugs on Nordost Flat Line Gold cables that I've had for a few years. For a power cable I'm using an old, lower-end PS Audio shielded cable, 12 gauge I think.

The X150.5 has remarkable transparency and ability to create almost tangible, (palpable), images of individual instruments & voices. The other remarkable characteristic is its dynamics, ("PRaT"); all percussion instruments including piano sound shockingly present and real (at least compared to other amps I've owned). Bass is very controlled and precise but not overly lean.

Highs seem extended, not rolled off or overly smooth. As for the mid-range, some people like "liquid" but that isn't the right word for the Pass' midrange: it is focused -- sharp with good contrast to use a camera lens analogy. Neither the highs nor the mid-range are exactly warm, but they are free of nasties.

I'm not really experienced with cables. The low and low-medium i/c's I've tried has not sounded significantly different from each other. I might be willing to kick it up to mid-price but I not inclined to part with a lot of cash experimenting. (At an MSRP of $1600 per pair, balanced Claus Crimson aren't going to happen for me.)

[blackraven]

Bill, I will probably buy a pair of the Silnote Morpheus Reference II XLR's and I will let you know how they sound. I need a pair since I just bought the X1

[Feanor]

Bill, I will probably buy a pair of the Silnote Morpheus Reference II XLR's and I will let you know how they sound. I need a pair since I just bought the X1

It will be interesting to hear your impressions, Larry, but those Silnote are well beyond my budget.

I'd looking for $200 I/Cs that might make a significant difference. E.g. I was asking the maker about Soundsilver Purity-XLR which would set me back $150 including shipping for a 1.5 meter pair, HERE. They are solid silver with teflon insulation.

[edit] Huh? I see that Silnote Morpheus Reference II XLR's can be had for a good deal less that the MSRP, at least used. That's encouraging but the whole issue of cable pricing in general is really quite discouraging -- MSRPs seem grossly inflated in may cases. [/edit]

[frenchmon]

Jack...congrats on your new Pass Labs amp!

Raven...man no tubes in the chain???? Man you gotta have some tubes in there some Place!?!?!? I would go crazy without tubes! Just bought some NOS Valvo ECC91's for the AMP. I've been using some KOBE TEN tubes in both amp and preamp...along with Telefunkens in the pre.

[Mr Peabody]

Blackraven, I too, will be anxious to see your impressions of the X1.

Feanor I forgot you were using the PSA and Nordust. Will the silver XLR have a return policy? From what I understand the purity and gauge of the silver can make a big difference.

[blackraven]

Frenchmon, I still have tubes in my DAC. I really wanted a nice BAT, tubed CJ or Atma Sphere MP3 preamp but the models that I want are a little over my budget. From every thing that I have read the X1 is very tube like. If I don't like it I will be able to sell it for what I paid for it. There is a guy on the Audiocircles forum that has an X1 with Van Alstine gear that I have been talking with and that are his impressions. Last night I called the seller of my X1 and talked with him about 30 minutes. He feels the same way about the X1. He bought an ARC LS26 (which was on my short list too) and he states the 2 preamps sound very similar.

[harley .guy07]

Wow Raven like Mr P you are going all in with a preamp as well. I have a little more time left in school and that is why I have to pick and choose when I upgrade gear and I can only do one major upgrade or so a year so it does not bust my budget and also I have to answer to the boss(Wife) since we are on on income with me using my rental house and school money saved to supplement so one major or a few minor upgrades a year is all I can do right now. But speakers and preamp are on my lists as soon as the funds are available but really right now I am rather happy with the Nuforce as it to does have a lot of tube qualities to it without the drawbacks of tubes in the low end and highs. I you read the reviews of the P8 they all say that it has a very "tube like" midrange. I have really looked at the X1 though as I have seen several for sale in the last 6 months. Most likely by the time i decide to upgrade(and have the funds to do so) the X10 will probably be the one to look at since it will probably be in my price class used.

[frenchmon]

Frenchmon, I still have tubes in my DAC. I really wanted a nice BAT, tubed CJ or Atma Sphere MP3 preamp but the models that I want are a little over my budget. From every thing that I have read the X1 is very tube like. If I don't like it I will be able to sell it for what I paid for it. There is a guy on the Audiocircles forum that has an X1 with Van Alstine gear that I have been talking with and that are his impressions. Last night I called the seller of my X1 and talked with him about 30 minutes. He feels the same way about the X1. He bought an ARC LS26 (which was on my short list too) and he states the 2 preamps sound very similar.

Well in all actuality, truth be told, in my opinion.... IF you got the X1 that possibly is the best thing for you because you would have an all Pass Labs unit. It would be designed by the same person and you would then get your music as Pass Labs designed it thus that synergy that you would not get with another brand. Peabody has a certain synergy due to an all Pass amp/preamp.

[Jack in Wilmington]

Well in all actuality, truth be told, in my opinion.... IF you got the X1 that possibly is the best thing for you because you would have an all Pass Labs unit. It would be designed by the same person and you would then get your music as Pass Labs designed it thus that synergy that you would not get with another brand. Peabody has a certain synergy due to an all Pass amp/preamp.

Are you sure that the Amp and Preamp are designed by the same person? I don't think I ever heard that. I could see two design teams working together or something like that.