Pass Labs XP-20

MartinT

MartinT

New member
Joined
May 27, 2014
Messages
39
Location
Basingstoke, UK
It seems that there are a good few Pass fans here - please add me to the count! I'm on my third Pass preamp, having previously owned an X2 followed by an X1. The XP-20 is simply the most transparent, quiet, dynamic and 'not there' preamp I've ever heard. I've had a few high end preamps in my system at various times, including Krell, BAT, Chord and Croft, but I've never been tempted away from Pass. What I especially like, and that so-called passive preamps fail to deliver, is the balanced drive to the power amp that controls it with an iron grip.

I have upgrade it with a Revelation Audio 'Passage' silver DC cable to replace the original umbilical.

I know there are the XP-30 and new Xs models in the range above it, and I hardly dare think what they could do for me. However, for now, I love the XP-20 as the control centre of my system and can't see me ever changing brands, based on Nelson's outstanding circuit.
 
Here is the Revelation Audio 'Passage' cryo-silver DC cable for my XP-20 (with the stock cable in the centre). A very worthwhile upgrade (but you'll wait an age for them to build you one).

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I also have the XP-20 preamp, and love it. This is the first I have heard of the Revelation umbilical. What type of improvement did it bring?
 
I needed a 1.2m length and paid $699 for it.

The bad news is that it took 7 months to arrive. Apparently Brad Vojtech has a bit of a reputation for slow delivery. It was worth the wait, though.
 
madfloyd said:
Well since you got the last 3, do let us know what you think when you get 'em!
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Sorry - didn't know I was taking the last 3.

MartinT said:
Good luck, Howard, and let us know what you think when you receive them.
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Will do! Thanks for the heads up about these. I was poking around behind my gear a few weeks ago while putting in some new fuses and RCA/XLR caps and thought that the Pass Labs power umbilicals looked kind of wimpy. These should do the trick!
 
That better not have been the last 3. When I spoke with him earlier he said if I ordered now I would have it on Wednesday. If I have to wait I will be POed. Get a decent pre that only requires 1 cable.
 
madfloyd said:
Well since you got the last 3, do let us know what you think when you get 'em!
Click to expand...

BlueFox said:
That better not have been the last 3. When I spoke with him earlier he said if I ordered now I would have it on Wednesday. If I have to wait I will be POed. Get a decent pre that only requires 1 cable.
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I don't know where Ian got the idea that it was the last 3. Sorry that my XP-30 takes two of the suckers and my XVR-1 another one. :)
 
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