Pass XS Phono....it's here!!!

**Mike** · June 5, 2015, 07:21 PM

**Alpinist** · June 5, 2015, 07:31 PM

Holy smoke! What an incredible looking component. Your Pass Labs gear is world class, Mike. I can't wait to hear your impressions once it breaks in. This must be one of the best phono pre's available. Did you win the lottery over there?

Best,
Ken

**Mike** · June 5, 2015, 07:39 PM

Originally Posted by Alpinist

Holy smoke! What an incredible looking component. Your Pass Labs gear is world class, Mike. I can't wait to hear your impressions once it breaks in. This must be one of the best phono pre's available. Did you win the lottery over there?

Best,
Ken

Haha....not quite....but thanks Ken. To be 100% honest, I socked away the money for the XS phono last year. No joke, I had a XS Phono savings account! The minute I heard about it last year, I knew I wanted it. Once I got the word - I was ready to go. I believe this is the first one off the production line.

**Alpinist** · June 5, 2015, 07:46 PM

Originally Posted by Mike

Haha....not quite....but thanks Ken. To be 100% honest, I socked away the money for the XS phono last year. No joke, I had a XS Phono savings account! The minute I heard about it last year, I knew I wanted it. Once I got the word - I was ready to go. I believe this is the first one off the production line.

Mike,

By the look of it, your patience totally paid off. I know a few folks gave up on it due to the extensive delay.

Ken

**Mike** · June 5, 2015, 07:48 PM

Originally Posted by Alpinist

Mike,

By the look of it, your patience totally paid off. I know a few folks gave up on it due to the extensive delay.

Ken

If they only knew. I was in constant contact with the guys at Pass and kept asking "is it done?", they kept saying "not until it's perfect". This was a team effort and I know that there were many people working hard to ensure the XS phono was truly the Statement product it was always meant to be.

**Alpinist** · June 5, 2015, 07:56 PM

Originally Posted by Mike

If they only knew. I was in constant contact with the guys at Pass and kept asking "is it done?", they kept saying "not until it's perfect". This was a team effort and I know that there were many people working hard to ensure the XS phono was truly the Statement product it was always meant to be.

You can't rush perfection!

**BlueFox** · June 5, 2015, 08:02 PM

Gadzooks, that is nice. Fortunately, there doesn't appear to be vocal members here who will tell you that it only sounds good because it looks nice.

Is it silver or champagne?

**Mike** · June 5, 2015, 08:03 PM

Originally Posted by BlueFox

Gadzooks, that is nice. Fortunately, there doesn't appear to be vocal members here who will tell you that it only sounds good because it looks nice.

Is it silver or champagne?

Silver.

**socfan12** · June 5, 2015, 08:11 PM

Congrats Mike, it's gorgeous! Please report back w initial impressions!

**Mike** · June 5, 2015, 08:35 PM

Thanks Allen! Will do.

**XV-1** · June 5, 2015, 08:40 PM

Hi Mike

Can you list some of the specs?

No of inputs

Gain for mm and mc

Loading both resistive And capacitance

Mono switch?

Etc

**tunes** · June 5, 2015, 08:51 PM

Congrats. How many inputs? Xlr input possible?

**Mike** · June 5, 2015, 08:54 PM

Originally Posted by tunes

Congrats. How many inputs? Xlr input possible?

Three. Why would you want an XLR input? 99.9% of turntables are single ended connections. Confused.

**tunes** · June 5, 2015, 09:19 PM

Yes, though there are a few phono stage designers that use the balanced basis of the cartridge and run with it through a true balanced phono stage design. The Trinity phono that i use is one example. Ayre has also championed this fully differential design. Typically true balanced ss design are dead silent and offer an extra 6db of gain. Of course, it makes little sense if you're not running the rest of the system balanced as well. Love the fact that pass has 3 inputs. Can't wait to hear your impressions! Wow, air tight and pass xs phono in the same week!

**Dafos** · June 5, 2015, 09:46 PM

Zesto and rega iOS reference offer balanced inputs but only single ended outputs. No need to ground the cables when using the balanced inputs.

**Mike** · June 5, 2015, 09:49 PM

Originally Posted by tunes

Yes, though there are a few phono stage designers that use the balanced basis of the cartridge and run with it through a true balanced phono stage design. The Trinity phono that i use is one example. Ayre has also championed this fully differential design. Typically true balanced ss design are dead silent and offer an extra 6db of gain. Of course, it makes little sense if you're not running the rest of the system balanced as well. Love the fact that pass has 3 inputs. Can't wait to hear your impressions! Wow, air tight and pass xs phono in the same week!

That's great in theory, but not in practice. If your turntable outputs SE, then you are best to stay SE and I can't even remember seeing a turntable with balanced outputs, although, there might be some?? Until we see turntables with balanced outputs as a regular practice, then balanced inputs on the phono make no sense IMO.

Getting ready to fire it up soon. Resistance and Capacitance options are right on the front with the ability to save settings for each input - nice! The XS phono also has selectable gain - 56, 66 and 76 - all adjustable for each input (and ability to save). Again, nice!

**Myles B. Astor** · June 5, 2015, 09:52 PM

Originally Posted by Mike

That's great in theory, but not in practice. If your turntable outputs SE, then you are best to stay SE and I can't even remember seeing a turntable with balanced outputs, although, there might be some?? Until we see turntables with balanced outputs as a regular practice, then balanced inputs on the phono make no sense IMO.

Getting ready to fire it up soon. Resistance and Capacitance options are right on the front with the ability to save settings for each input - nice! The XS phono also has selectable gain - 56, 66 and 76 - all adjustable for each input (and ability to save). Again, nice!

I'm running in balanced now as cartridges are inherently balanced. VPI offers an optional balanced tonearm block too.

**a.wayne** · June 5, 2015, 09:58 PM

Myles,

What advantages are you experiencing with balanced phono stage vs single end.....?

**the professor** · June 5, 2015, 10:01 PM

Then with this theory, why go balanced at all through the phono out/preamp/poweramp with using a phono source? Somewhere you are converting to balanced - why not ASAP? The lower the voltage the better the balanced advantage. This coming from a phono first grader.

Originally Posted by Mike

That's great in theory, but not in practice. If your turntable outputs SE, then you are best to stay SE and I can't even remember seeing a turntable with balanced outputs, although, there might be some?? Until we see turntables with balanced outputs as a regular practice, then balanced inputs on the phono make no sense IMO.

Getting ready to fire it up soon. Resistance and Capacitance options are right on the front with the ability to save settings for each input - nice! The XS phono also has selectable gain - 56, 66 and 76 - all adjustable for each input (and ability to save). Again, nice!

**tunes** · June 5, 2015, 10:16 PM

I use balanced phono interconnects from DIN connection of tonearm to phono stage, phono stage to balanced in and out of preamp, pre to amp. If you break the balanced chain, it makes far less sense, less "gain" so to speak, LOL.
Agree with Mike though, majority of tables are SE out and same goes for majority of phono stages in.
Now, back to the OP. Sorry for the distraction. The pass clearly has seriously convenient features, especially the triple input, easy loading and selectable gain.

**audio.bill** · June 5, 2015, 10:26 PM

There are phono stages that only have single ended RCA inputs, but that have balanced circuitry and provide both balanced XLR outputs along with RCAs. Some examples of these are the Audia Flight Phono and Whest phono stages. They claim that since most cartridge designs generate an inherently balanced signal, even when connected with RCAs the circuitry of the phono stage can be balanced to their XLR outputs and you can benefit from using those outputs if your linestage is a truly balanced design.

**Myles B. Astor** · June 5, 2015, 10:46 PM

Originally Posted by a.wayne

Myles,

What advantages are you experiencing with balanced phono stage vs single end.....?

Two things are quietness and dynamics.

**slowgeezr** · June 5, 2015, 11:01 PM

Originally Posted by audio.bill

There are phono stages that only have single ended RCA inputs, but that have balanced circuitry and provide both balanced XLR outputs along with RCAs. Some examples of these are the Audia Flight Phono and Whest phono stages. They claim that since most cartridge designs generate an inherently balanced signal, even when connected with RCAs the circuitry of the phono stage can be balanced to their XLR outputs and you can benefit from using those outputs if your linestage is a truly balanced design.

Just like my BAT phono stage. Love it. Of course that Pass XS phono pre must be exemplary! Congrats Mike!

**Mike** · June 5, 2015, 11:23 PM

Anyhow.....initial impressions are very high. Right away I notice so much more texture in the mids, tighter bass and sweet highs. The synergy is undeniable. It's also DEAD FREAKING quiet.

**MikeCh** · June 5, 2015, 11:56 PM

Originally Posted by Mike

Anyhow.....initial impressions are very high. Right away I notice so much more texture in the mids, tighter bass and sweet highs. The synergy is undeniable. It's also DEAD FREAKING quiet.

That is just SUPER Mike! Glad it's impressive so far and certainly going to get even better as it breaks in. Congrats!

p.s. Did I miss it earlier in the post.....are you running all PASS amplification now with the Air Tight taking a breather?

**Mike** · June 6, 2015, 12:04 AM

Originally Posted by MikeCh

That is just SUPER Mike! Glad it's impressive so far and certainly going to get even better as it breaks in. Congrats!

p.s. Did I miss it earlier in the post.....are you running all PASS amplification now with the Air Tight taking a breather?

Thanks Mike. Yes, all XS system tonight.

**MikeCh** · June 6, 2015, 12:10 AM

Nice

**a.wayne** · June 6, 2015, 04:39 AM

Originally Posted by Mike

Thanks Mike. Yes, all XS system tonight.

Sweeet.......

**dlb2** · June 6, 2015, 07:49 AM

Very nice Mike. Now you just need a couple more turntables.

**Myles B. Astor** · June 6, 2015, 07:55 AM

Originally Posted by Mike

Anyhow.....initial impressions are very high. Right away I notice so much more texture in the mids, tighter bass and sweet highs. The synergy is undeniable. It's also DEAD FREAKING quiet.

Once you hear REAL quiet in your analog front end, it's hard to listen to anything else. Makes you wonder how we listened to low output MCs, at least those of us who couldn't stand the sound of SUT then, in the'80s and '90s. Always wondered what a Monster Cable Alpha 2 would sound in today's modern arms on a modern table with a current low noise and high gain phono section. That was a sweet cartridge for its day but its output was so low in its day.

**annapolis Raider** · June 6, 2015, 08:32 AM

[QUOTE=Myles B. Astor;130771]Once you hear REAL quiet in your analog front end, it's hard to listen to anything else.

+1, I run a balanced setup with the Gryphon....

**Myles B. Astor** · June 6, 2015, 08:37 AM

[QUOTE=annapolis Raider;130778]

Originally Posted by Myles B. Astor

Once you hear REAL quiet in your analog front end, it's hard to listen to anything else.

+1, I run a balanced setup with the Gryphon....

Also the difference in transparency between two and multi-track recordings slams you over the head!

**MDP** · June 6, 2015, 09:04 AM

Congrats Mike, your patience payed off

**Mike** · June 6, 2015, 09:39 AM

Originally Posted by MDP

Congrats Mike, your patience payed off

Thanks Mark. I can't believe I started talking to the Pass guys about the XS Phono in January 2014. I sold off my ARC REF5SE phono in anticipation. 18 months seemed like an eternity, but it was WELL worth the wait. I was up until the wee hours of the morning listening. All of the XS gear is so quiet, it just presents this seamless presentation from LP to Speakers.

I also noticed last night how much better the bass definition is. Bass notes have this uncanny realism.

**MDP** · June 6, 2015, 12:00 PM

Awesome Mike !!!

**madfloyd** · June 6, 2015, 02:38 PM

Congrats, Mike. I wish you had the XP-25 to compare it to. I have my sights set on an ARC Ref 10 phono at the moment, but who knows, maybe that will change.

**madfloyd** · June 6, 2015, 02:59 PM

Just noticed that Reno Hifi is not expecting their units until June 30th! Did you get the first one, Mike?

**Jerome W** · June 6, 2015, 03:12 PM

Originally Posted by Mike

Anyhow.....initial impressions are very high. Right away I notice so much more texture in the mids, tighter bass and sweet highs. The synergy is undeniable. It's also DEAD FREAKING quiet.

Congrats Mike !
Looks like a terrific phono stage.

**the professor** · June 6, 2015, 08:48 PM

Thats great Mike.

Originally Posted by Mike

Thanks Mark. I can't believe I started talking to the Pass guys about the XS Phono in January 2014. I sold off my ARC REF5SE phono in anticipation. 18 months seemed like an eternity, but it was WELL worth the wait. I was up until the wee hours of the morning listening. All of the XS gear is so quiet, it just presents this seamless presentation from LP to Speakers.

I also noticed last night how much better the bass definition is. Bass notes have this uncanny realism.

**PeterA** · June 13, 2015, 10:06 AM

Mike, what is the latest with the new phono? How does it compare to what you had previously? This must be one of the first units out there. Are you beta testing or is this a production unit?

**madfloyd** · June 13, 2015, 10:10 AM

Yeah Mike, give us the scoop!

**Mike** · June 13, 2015, 11:02 AM

Originally Posted by PeterA

Mike, what is the latest with the new phono? How does it compare to what you had previously? This must be one of the first units out there. Are you beta testing or is this a production unit?

I cannot believe how good it is. So quiet, so musical, balanced. Just over the moon with it. The XS phono is the best Phonostage I've ever owned - by far.

I bought it.

**Garth** · June 13, 2015, 11:28 AM

Nice looking phono I am sure it sounds great. You mention quiet and better Bass A good phono is a must if you want dead quiet . By the way I run a full balanced set up from the cartridge on down. Works for me. Enjoy your new gear I hope I hear one some day.

**Mike** · June 13, 2015, 11:57 AM

Thanks Garth.

**Alpinist** · June 13, 2015, 08:50 PM

Originally Posted by Mike

I cannot believe how good it is. So quiet, so musical, balanced. Just over the moon with it. The XS phono is the best Phonostage I've ever owned - by far.

I bought it.

Mike,

I figured with all that extra time it took them to finalize it, they would really knock it out of the park. And it sounds like they definitely did. I like that philosophy, don't bring it to market until it's perfect. Is anyone taking notes?

Best,
Ken

**madfloyd** · June 13, 2015, 08:54 PM

Originally Posted by Mike

I cannot believe how good it is. So quiet, so musical, balanced. Just over the moon with it. The XS phono is the best Phonostage I've ever owned - by far.

I bought it.

Mike, if the Lampi guys in Poland were making a phono stage that sounded like their DAC, do you think you would prefer it? I guess I'm asking that given what you like about the Lampi (tubes) do you prefer the XS pre even though it's solid state? Another way of phrasing this question is: what source do you prefer between the two?

**Mike** · June 13, 2015, 09:03 PM

Good question, but it's an easy answer. Kronos/ZYX Universe Premium/Pass XS is my favorite source. Let me give you an example: I compared Lampi DSD Miles Davis Kind of Blue to the vinyl version below with the Kronos/ZYX Universe Premium/XS phono and just chuckled to myself. With the vinyl, the instruments had a life like size sound with greater dynamics and impact and the sound was very engaging.

It should be noted that I have NOT tried my new Air Tight ATE-2 Phonostage and Air Tight Reference SUT. I'm waiting on my new rack before giving it a whirl.

My R2R is also very very enjoyable and if for not a lot less material, it would be my favorite source.

However, as for as digital goes, the Lampizator/Aurender combo is excellent. The Lumin S1 is quieter and has more impact and my T+A PDP 3000HV has a "just right" kind of sound. So in summary, all my digital sources have their pro's and con's, but there is no doubt that the Lampizator with the right tube compliment for a particular system is very special.

**mep** · June 13, 2015, 09:07 PM

Originally Posted by madfloyd

Mike, if the Lampi guys in Poland were making a phono stage that sounded like their DAC, do you think you would prefer it? I guess I'm asking that given what you like about the Lampi (tubes) do you prefer the XS pre even though it's solid state? Another way of phrasing this question is: what source do you prefer between the two?

First of all Mike, congrats on your new Pass phono preamp and I'm glad you are very happy with it. As for Ian's question, if you are a die-hard analog guy, you are most probably not going to say that digital from the best Lampi sounds better than a great turntable.

**Mike** · June 13, 2015, 09:10 PM

Originally Posted by mep

First of all Mike, congrats on your new Pass phono preamp and I'm glad you are very happy with it. As for Ian's question, if you are a die-hard analog guy, you are most probably not going to say that digital from the best Lampi sounds better than a great turntable.

Thanks Mark. See above. I would never say never, but I have compared two JT albums, Miles Davis Kind of Blue and the new Mark Knopfler Tracker album. Not a lot, but enough to get a taste.

Let's keep in mind: Kronos + ZYX + XS Phono = $85,000 approx. It SHOULD sound better.

**Ritmo** · June 13, 2015, 09:39 PM

Oh boy Mike! I feel like booking a flight to Sarasota to check it out with the rest of your system...enjoy in good health my friend!

Thread: Pass XS Phono....it's here!!!