Pass Labs Purchase

[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.

[frenchmon]

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.

I assumed Nelson Pass or who ever, Had a hugh part in the designs of every amp/preamp with his name on the front....unlike Levinson amps, that really has nothing to do with Mark Levinson any more. But Pass....I think they have their own gear in mind when they design different components....the same with all audio companies I assume.

[blackraven]

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.

Jack, you are right. Nelson Pass did not design the X1. I believe it was the Vice President of the company and head of engineering that did. It still uses Super Symmetry design and Class A power as the X250. I should have the X1 Friday afternoon. I have been buying a lot of reference CD's and Hybrid SACD's in anticipation of the X1.

I already have 2 guys interested in buying my Van Alstine pre.

[Jack in Wilmington]

Jack, you are right. Nelson Pass did not design the X1. I believe it was the Vice President of the company and head of engineering that did. It still uses Super Symmetry design and Class A power as the X250. I should have the X1 Friday afternoon. I have been buying a lot of reference CD's and Hybrid SACD's in anticipation of the X1.

I already have 2 guys interested in buying my Van Alstine pre.

I will be watching for your impressions of the X1 as it will be on my short list.

[harley .guy07]

From what I understand it is true that Pass himself does not design the preamps as he is so concentrated on power amp designs so there is another designer that does design their preamps but you know that they are designed to complement their amps so I would say that it will be a very good match.

[frenchmon]

Raven....whatever happen to your Turntable idea? Did you decide not to go into vinyl?

[Feanor]

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.

I'm pretty sure I read somewhere, my be even on the Pass Labs website, Nelson Pass saying that he had not designed their preamps; he named a designer whose name I don't recall.

In any case I've no doubt that the preamps are up to standard defined by Pass himself.