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  1. #1

    Pass XP-30: Any DAC recommendations?

    Any thoughts out there on which DACs might have great synergy with a Pass XP-30 preamp? What are others here using?

  2. #2
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    Re: Pass XP-30: Any DAC recommendations?

    This may be a reach as I'm on a smaller scale than you, I like my Levinson with Pass, I still have Pass pre but switched from Pass amp. Brian of Bricasti used to be with Levinson and I like his DAC quite a bit. The way the Bricasti was set up the times I heard it, I found it to be quick and nimble with a smooth presentation, not warm, just a nice musical presentation. I suspect it would have nice synergy for you.

    To my ears I found the Direct Stream to lean some more analytical than Bricasti and Lampi fuller than both, warm but not overly so.

    I think Lampi would have synergy bringing a fuller presentation. It depends on which way you want the system to lean. In my system I found staying with balanced circuits to sound better. That's not always been my experience, but it was when mixing the Pass & Levinson.

    There's a good Pass following here, I'm sure you'll get some good feedback.

    Welcome to the Shark.
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    Re: Pass XP-30: Any DAC recommendations?

    The DAC in my Lumin works great with my XP-22. However, I suspect any decent DAC, along with good cables, will work well with your Pass.
    Bud

    Lumin X1 file player, Westminster Labs interconnect cable
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    Re: Pass XP-30: Any DAC recommendations?

    I used the Esoteric K-01 Player/DAC with the Pass XP-30 preamp when I owned it and it was a terrific combination.

    Ken
    "No summit worth climbing is easily attained."
    --------------------------------------------
    Source: MSB Select II DAC with Two Mono Powerbases and Femto 33 Clock; Renderer V2 Digital Input Module and Roon Nucleus Plus; MSB UMT V Signature Transport
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  5. #5
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    Re: Pass XP-30: Any DAC recommendations?

    Schiit Yggdrasil DAC sounds great in my system.
    Aurender N30 - EMM Labs DA2 - Pass Labs XP-30 - Pass Labs X350.8 - B&W 802 Diamond - PS Audio DirectStream P12

  6. #6
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    Re: Pass XP-30: Any DAC recommendations?

    Quote Originally Posted by elshout View Post
    Any thoughts out there on which DACs might have great synergy with a Pass XP-30 preamp? What are others here using?
    elshout, do you have a budget figure in mind?

  7. #7
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    Re: Pass XP-30: Any DAC recommendations?

    Quote Originally Posted by GSOphile View Post
    elshout, do you have a budget figure in mind?
    To get better recommendations, it would also be helpful to know if DSD and/or MQA are needs and what your preferred inputs are, if known at this point.

  8. #8

    Re: Pass XP-30: Any DAC recommendations?

    Budget around $2000. XLR outputs. Really would like HDMI inputs but I know that option os pretty limited. And yes, DSD.

  9. #9
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    Re: Pass XP-30: Any DAC recommendations?

    Find a used Bryston BDA3.


    Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
    Preamp/Digital: Meitner MA3
    HT Processor: Bryston SP3
    Amps: Bryston 14b3, Bryston 4b3
    Speakers: Kef Reference 5, Kef Reference 4c
    Sub: REL Carbon Special
    Power: Shunyata Denali, Bryston BIT15
    Wires: Wireworld Silver Eclipse XLR & SC, Ethernet - WW Platinum USB
    Other: Stillpoint Ultra SS, ISO-Acoustics ISO Pucks

    -Kyle

  10. #10
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    Re: Pass XP-30: Any DAC recommendations?

    Yiggy sounds like your best bet. I had this Marantz NA-11s1 and loved its tone, texture and dynamics. It has a beautiful rich mid range. However it was not a good match with my BAT preamp as the bass was too much. It had the best sounding piano and female vocals that I have heard in a DAC. It is also built like a tank.

    https://www.musicdirect.com/network-...k-audio-player
    My Gear- Mains System-Pass X250 amp, BAT VK-51se preamp, Luxman DA-06 DAC, Magnepan 1.6's, Thorens TD-145 TT, Dual Martin Logan Subs, Vintage Luxman T-110 Tuner, Cables-WW Platinum 7 USB, Cardas Parsec XLR, AQ Columbia DBS 72v XLR, Belden 8402 XLR.

  11. #11
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    Re: Pass XP-30: Any DAC recommendations?

    Quote Originally Posted by Mechnutt View Post
    Yiggy sounds like your best bet. I had this Marantz NA-11s1 and loved its tone, texture and dynamics. It has a beautiful rich mid range. However it was not a good match with my BAT preamp as the bass was too much. It had the best sounding piano and female vocals that I have heard in a DAC. It is also built like a tank.

    https://www.musicdirect.com/network-...k-audio-player
    The biggest problem with Schiit is the lack of DSD support. If they had it, I would’ve bought one. I have a couple hundred DSD albums. So lack of DSD support put it quickly in the “no” column


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
    Preamp/Digital: Meitner MA3
    HT Processor: Bryston SP3
    Amps: Bryston 14b3, Bryston 4b3
    Speakers: Kef Reference 5, Kef Reference 4c
    Sub: REL Carbon Special
    Power: Shunyata Denali, Bryston BIT15
    Wires: Wireworld Silver Eclipse XLR & SC, Ethernet - WW Platinum USB
    Other: Stillpoint Ultra SS, ISO-Acoustics ISO Pucks

    -Kyle

  12. #12

    Re: Pass XP-30: Any DAC recommendations?

    "The biggest problem with Schiit is the lack of DSD support." I agree, I think if they had it, I would be getting one.

  13. #13
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    Re: Pass XP-30: Any DAC recommendations?

    Quote Originally Posted by Phishphan View Post
    The biggest problem with Schiit is the lack of DSD support. If they had it, I would’ve bought one. I have a couple hundred DSD albums. So lack of DSD support put it quickly in the “no” column


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
    Yep, forgot that it does not do DSD. You are welcome to stop by my house in Woodbury to hear my Luxman with my Pass X250. They occasionally come up for sale used. It is still a stereophile A+ DAC. Another DAC to give a listen to is this AVA Hi Fi DAC. I had it in my system and did a review on it for Frank Van Alstine. It sounded better than my Luxman DA-06 in some respects. Frank has a 30 day money back guaranty. You can give it a listen at Frank's house in Woodbury. He lives about 3 minutes from me. Tell him Larry referred you. It punches above its price point for sure since my Luxman use to list at $6K.

    https://avahifi.com/collections/d-to-a-converters
    My Gear- Mains System-Pass X250 amp, BAT VK-51se preamp, Luxman DA-06 DAC, Magnepan 1.6's, Thorens TD-145 TT, Dual Martin Logan Subs, Vintage Luxman T-110 Tuner, Cables-WW Platinum 7 USB, Cardas Parsec XLR, AQ Columbia DBS 72v XLR, Belden 8402 XLR.

  14. #14

    Re: Pass XP-30: Any DAC recommendations?

    Thanks Mechnutt,

    The Luxman definitely looks like a nice option.

  15. #15

    Re: Pass XP-30: Any DAC recommendations?

    I use the xp20.
    for me go with a Lumin or similar (all in one) and a cd player unit added...
    if you will a"extern" Dac Métronome C8 PLUS or Emmlabs.
    Rockna and Bricasti are too very interessing.

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Pass XP-30: Any DAC recommendations?

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