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Pass Labs XP-20 Volume Output Level

I recently purchased a XP-20 preamp. I have a question to other owner of this preamp about how loud your system is with the XP-20. My system is a Bryston 14b sst amp, Esoteric X-05 cd player, B & W 801 matrix II speakers and the XP-20 preamp. Preamp is connected to the amp via XLR connection. The Bryston amp has switches for a 6db boost with the XLR connection which is being used. My system does not play that loud. I am listening at full volume to my music and it is not that loud. We can have a normal conversation at full volume. I sent the preamp back to Pass Labs thinking that there must be something wrong with it. They checked it out and told me everything is normal. They really had no answer for my low volume output. With my old preamp which is the Bryston bp-25 I could not turn the volume past 65%. It would just be too loud to listen to beyoud that. It would not be possible to listen at full volume, the 14b is pushing 600 watts per channel. With the XP-20 at full volume output is about equal to 50% of the Bryston bp-25 output. Are any other owners having this problem? Any help would be appreciated.
benjie

Showing 4 responses by benjie

benjie OP
326 posts
 
To Abucktwoeighty
Yes I did try using RCA connection and it was worse. It was 6db less than the XLR connection.

To Zd542
I am using Kimber kable, KS-1136.

I also spoke with Mark at Reno Hi-Fi and he suggested using the stock power cord that came with the XP-20 instead of the Silent Source power cord that I am presently using. Using the stock cord had no effect on the preamp's output.
Mark also suggested that I bypass my power conditioner, Furman 20i and see if that made difference. I plugged everything straight into the wall outlet and that did not make any difference either. Mark's thinking was that maybe the aftermarket power cord or the power conditioner was not allowing the proper flow of current. All good ideas but it did not solve my problem. I really appreciated Mark's help.

I hope we can figure this out.
benjie OP
326 posts
 
Almarg
No I do not have a sub in my system. The 801's are functioning fine, the overload circuit is not coming on. There is nothing else connected to the amp, just XLR's from the XP-20 and speaker cables.

As for the BP-25, yes I do still have it and I have put it back into the system and everything functions perfectly. I have good output gain with plenty of headroom for all components. Thank you for your suggestions.
benjie OP
326 posts
 
Yes, when I say full volume I mean that is as far as the volume control will go. On the XP-20 that is 83db.
benjie OP
326 posts
 
Problem solved !!!

The Esoteric X-05 just failed. Not really happy about this
but now I know what the problem is. I borrowed a cheap Sony
CD player from a neighbor and the Pass Labs XP-20 is
working fine. Output gain level is much more than I need.
Plenty of headroom now. Lots of volume available now.

Thank you everyone for you help and support!
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