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Thread: Pass Labs XP22 bright
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October 6, 2023, 06:54 AM #1Junior Member
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Pass Labs XP22 bright
Guys
Anyone find the XP22 pre bright?
I'm pairing it with a XA30.8.
Using a KS1136 and have also tried KS1126 between the two units.
I usually run a ARC LS28 with the XA30.8.
I was not expecting the XP22 to be bright or harsh when the high notes are played. I also can't find any forum posts that mention this brightness - only about warmth - which I'm not really hearing or feeling with the XP22 / XA30.8 combo.
Has anyone experienced this and if so did you find a way to dull things down? i.e with a particular interconnect, cable, etc.
Thanks in advance.
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October 6, 2023, 08:01 AM #2Audioshark
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Re: Pass Labs XP22 bright
Pass bright? That’s unusual. Stick with copper and Shunyata power cables. Make sure it’s fully broken in.
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October 6, 2023, 04:45 PM #3Senior Member
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Re: Pass Labs XP22 bright
I've not had the XP22 but the only time I experienced Pass preamps sounding less than stellar is when new without proper break in, it does take time, and this may sound crazy but if they are unplugged it will take about 24 hours to get back to where it was for sound. If you just received the XP22 leave it plugged in and you should notice some improvement with about 100 hours of play, that won't be fully broke in but should give you confidence it is improving. It's been a while since I had my Pass preamp so others may have a different time frame for beginning to break in. I remember it took a week but I can't remember if that's leaving it on or just a week of listening sessions.
Bottom line if it's new to you continue to use and relax you will eventually be very happy. I personally think the two Pass pieces will sound better together than using the ARC.
What speakers are you using?Aurender ACS10 w/Audioquest Diamond USB, Esoteric N05xd
Mark Levinson #526, 534 & JBL 4367's
Clearaudio Performance DC w/Maestro cart
Clarus Concerto & their Crimson cables
HT: Marantz AV8003, Linn 5125, JBL SAM3ha, Revel s30,
SVS PC13 Ultra
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October 7, 2023, 12:52 AM #4Senior Member
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Re: Pass Labs XP22 bright
That has not been my experience at all. What speakers are you using?
Originally Posted by haygeebaby
Preamp; WestminsterLab Quest with w/ Audioquest Dragon source PC (C15)
Interconnects; Nordost Valhalla V2 XLR
SACD Player/DAC; Esoteric K-01XD w/ Shunyata Omega QRs PC (C15)
Music Server/Streamer; Aurender N20 w/ Shunyata Omega QRs PC (C15)
Digital cables; Shunyata Sigma V2 Clock (50 Ω & 75 Ω), Nordost Valhalla V2 S/PDIF
Amplifier;Westminster Lab Rei Monoblock w/ Westminster Lab Ultra PC (C15) x 2
Speakers; Magico A5 w/Apods, Westminster Lab Ultra speaker cable
Power; Shunyata Everest 8000 w/ Sigma XC PC (C19)
Grounding; Nordost QKore6 w/ premium and standard grounding wires
Master Clock; Cybershaft OP21A-D Ultra Precision OCXO 10MHz w/ UpTone Audio JS-2 Linear Power Supply
Network switch; Nordost QNET 5 Port Network Switch w/ QNet Stand and Nordost TC SORT Kones, Shunyata Omega Ethernet
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October 7, 2023, 07:30 AM #5Senior Member
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Re: Pass Labs XP22 bright
I've been told that the XP-22 isn't a whole heck of a lot different from my XP-20, so I would have to also agree with others. No, the Pass preamp is nowhere near being "bright and harsh".
Pass Labs XP-20 | Auralic Altair G1 | Odyssey Audio Stratos Monoblocks | JVC XL-Z411 | Nakamichi DR-1 | Technics SL-1700MK2 | Magnepan 1.7i | SVS PB-1000 Pro x 2
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October 7, 2023, 09:18 AM #6Senior Member
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Re: Pass Labs XP22 bright
perhaps a longer / better aged whisky might help 'dull it down' ........ Originally Posted by haygeebaby
on a serious note, as the others have said and asked, speaker pairing, any other changes made to gear or your room ?Cheers ! …. Dave
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October 7, 2023, 09:21 AM #7Audioshark
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Re: Pass Labs XP22 bright
You have to try the XP22 one day. It’s quite a bit better. Originally Posted by chops
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk ProMy Systems: http://www.audioshark.org/showthread...481#post158481
"We can hear everything we measure, but we can't measure everything we hear. Let your ears be your guide."
Dealer for: Aqua Hi-Fi, Aurender, AudioQuest Cables & Power Products, Berkeley Audio, Block Audio (distributor), Boulder Amplifiers, Bowers & Wilkins (B&W), Bryston, Clarisys Audio Loudspeakers (distributor), Classe’ Audio, Degritter Record Cleaning Machines, Esoteric, Finite Elemente, FirstWatt, Focal Loudspeakers and Headphones, GigaFoil, Harbeth Loudspeakers, Hegel, HiFi Man, Innuos, ISO Acoustics, Keces Power Supplies, Kharma Loudspeakers and Electronics, Kuzma Turntables, Lumin, Luxman, Magico Loudspeakers, MBL Speakers & Electronics, MSB Technologies, MySonicLabs Phono Cartridges, Nordost Cables, Ortofon, Pass Labs, Quadraspire, Rega Turntables and Electronics, Shunyata Research, STAX, Stein Music Products, Stillpoints, Soulution, VAC, Vicoustics, Viva Audio, VPI Industries, WireWorld Cables.
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October 9, 2023, 06:42 PM #8Junior Member
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Re: Pass Labs XP22 bright
My 22 is on full time. In fact I leave my 60.8’s on as well if not traveling. After break-in, it produced a very natural sound. I actually added Analysis Plus Silver Apex’s (along with Shunyata PC’s) to give me a little more edgy sound I was wanting! Otherwise copper is the way to go, it certainly shouldn’t be bright after break-in.
Joe
Main: XA60.8’s, XP22, K-03XD, Optical Rendu, SmallGreenComputer(Roon Core), Analysis Plus Silver Apex interconnects, Shunyata PCs
Second: MA352, Lumin D2, T+A DAC 200, 8300CDQ, Project RPM-5 Carbon, Zphono XRM, Nordost & Kimber interconnects, Shunyata PCs
Shared: Focal Kanta 2’s, Everest w/Omega XC, Furman, GIK Acoustics full-room treatment, Custom butcher block/steam pipe/granite slab rack
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October 9, 2023, 09:34 PM #9Senior Member
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Re: Pass Labs XP22 bright
It would be helpful to know what you're coming from, the rest of the system and possible set up changes. I'm not a familiar with pass, but have never heard it described bright or harsh.
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October 12, 2023, 05:24 PM #10Senior Member
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Re: Pass Labs XP22 bright
As you know Mike, I just purchased the XP-20 a few months ago. I'm extremely happy with it so far. Maybe I'll consider upgrading a few years down the road when the new XP-24 comes out. Originally Posted by Mike
Pass Labs XP-20 | Auralic Altair G1 | Odyssey Audio Stratos Monoblocks | JVC XL-Z411 | Nakamichi DR-1 | Technics SL-1700MK2 | Magnepan 1.7i | SVS PB-1000 Pro x 2
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October 30, 2023, 03:42 PM #11Junior Member
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Re: Pass Labs XP22 bright
Haygeebaby, just checking in to see if your XP-22 settled down after further play?
Joe
Main: XA60.8’s, XP22, K-03XD, Optical Rendu, SmallGreenComputer(Roon Core), Analysis Plus Silver Apex interconnects, Shunyata PCs
Second: MA352, Lumin D2, T+A DAC 200, 8300CDQ, Project RPM-5 Carbon, Zphono XRM, Nordost & Kimber interconnects, Shunyata PCs
Shared: Focal Kanta 2’s, Everest w/Omega XC, Furman, GIK Acoustics full-room treatment, Custom butcher block/steam pipe/granite slab rack
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November 16, 2023, 03:08 AM #12Junior Member
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Re: Pass Labs XP22 bright
Gents
I'm so sorry for the late reply. And thank you all for the feedback and comments.
The setup I've been using for the last 7 years has been ARC LS28 + Pass XA30.8 + Avantgarde Duo Omega. Shunyata Alpha NR power cables + Triton Typhon combo. Kimber 1136 from phono and digital sources. 1236 from tonearm and 1126 from pre to power. Grounding with Telos GNR. And lots more furutech, Waversa, comeback harmonix, and wbt goodies. Has always sounded amazing.
The LS28 went out for repairs. And it was a good time to try a Pass pre in the system. So I borrowed the XP22 from my local. So everything was well burnt in.
In the above setup - the XP22 added more detail and was quieter than the LS28. But the sound got harsh at the top - i.e trumpets and saxophones. This was a surprise to me as Pass doesn't usually follow this description. Thus - the post on the forum to see what others have found.
I did borrow the XP22 twice, and the second time I tried a different interconnect between pre and power. I think it was the Transparent Reference - that was correctly configuration for pass gear. It sounded slightly better but still not great.
I have come to the conclusion that in my setup the XP22 + XA30.8 + Duo Omega horns combo may not be the best combo. Perhaps tubes somewhere in the chain is needed to round things off smoothly.
The never ending search will continue I guess.
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November 16, 2023, 03:18 AM #13Junior Member
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Re: Pass Labs XP22 bright
With that said - I will say that there is something special about the XP22 pre-amp.
The things it adds to the sound is impressive.
And the XA30.8 and XP17 phono I have - a joy to own, listen to, and live with.
I love Pass gear.
Definitely demo it in your setup if it is in your shortlist.
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Some of mine start with 240xxxx and they were not built in 2024. And whilst it is a 240 volt model I also have others that are 200xxxx that are 240 volt model but definitely not built in 2020.
Impressive first listen - Esoteric...