ARC LS25 or Pass Labs X1??


Here's my current setup:

ARC LS-15 line
ARC PH-3SE phono
SOTA Star with AT OC-9 cartridge
Classe DAC-1
Classe CDT-1
Valve Amplification Company PA 160 MKII monobloc's
Sonus Faber Cremonas
Transparent and MIT interconnects, Harmonic Tech speaker cable and I run it balanced.

Here's the problem:
The VAC amp imputs are too sensitive for the output of the LS-15 (the volume control doesn't get much past 9 o'clock and it's loud at that point). Further, the volume increments on the LS-15 are very coarse.

Solution:
Finer increments on the volume control (I like having a remote volume control) and/or adjustable output sensitivity on the linestage.

I've narrowed it down to the LS-25, MK I or II, or a Pass Labs X1 and will likely buy used thereby limiting my audition possibilties. I like transparency, coherence and soundstaging in my system. I've had ARC for a long time (SP-11 MKII before the LS-15) but find the Pass Labs linestage appealing. Both have adjustable output (although it's unclear how it's done on the ARC) and finer increments on the volume control.

Any thoughts? Any suggestions keeping in mind the need for adjustable output sensitivity/finer increments on the volume and balanced outputs? BAT SK30SE looks interesting but probably too expensive at this point. Someone had mentioned that the LS-16 had lower output than the LS-15 but I've not been able to confirm.

Regards
barolobrain

Showing 1 response by bigkidz

The X-1 is one of the best sounding SS preamp that I have heard. I compared it to many tube, SS and passive preamps. That being said, the mid range is not as sweet as a good tube preamp. The X-1 bettered most tube preamps in the dynamics and low end department. So it comes down to a matter of preference. The new Sonic Euphoria passive preamp is a real sweet preamp for the price. My amp is set to low for a match but it was a really good performer for the price. The Placette active will beat the SE but for much more money.

Happy Listening.