Pre amp for Pass Labs XA30.5 – Tube or SS

RO817,

When you say you have "settled" on a 30.5, do you already have it or are you going to be getting it?

In any event, I have a 30.5 and 100.5's and use CJ tube preamps with them. Perfect for me. I didn't feel that they "needed" a tube pre, just that those gave me the sound I enjoy the most.

I did audition a XP20 and liked it a bunch. I don't see how you could go wrong with the 10 especially if you have to buy blind (is "deaf" a better word? smile).

If you do go tube, the length and capacitance of the interconnects should be taken into account.

Tube or ss, I think you're going to have a great system. Good luck.

Charles,
Absolutely.

The value I do see in forum advice (if it's not agenda driven or heavily biased) is that sometimes you can't listen before you buy so you gather as much info as you can (hopefully from people like yourself) and take your best shot.

I've used this phrase/formula before but I think it's time to mention it again:

Hypothetically: If 100 people heard my system while alternating between a ss and tube preamp, 95% may prefer the tube pre but you might be one of the 5% that prefer the ss.

95% doesn't make it right, your ears make it right. BUT if you can't listen first it's probably safest to go with the odds.

Czbbcl,

Haven't heard the ET-5. I would guess it's pretty nice. I sure like mine paired with the XA's.

Chuck,

Correct on the 100.5. I got the 30.5 first and still use it in another system from time to time.

ET-5 or XP20...that would be a tough call. Is there something in the sound of your system that you want more of (or less of)?

Rrfrerichs1950,

I just checked my 30.5. The tips of my bananas are 3/4" long and I can insert them all the way. They possibly could go in even farther. I also tried some old Monster Cable bananas and a Radio Shack dual banana and they all went in all the way.

How long are the ones you are trying to insert?

btw, the 30.5 comes new with plastic inserts to keep people in "some' foreign countries from plugging their a/c into them. Did you get your 30.5 new and are you in the USA?

Charles,

I preferred my CJ (ART 2). I did tell Mark at Reno "If tubes ever start giving more trouble than their worth, I will just send you a check". Haven't heard the XP30 since it debuted but would imagine it could close the gap even more.

Agree with you, no guarantees. My rec was if he had to buy "deaf", as I so eloquently put it (thanks Czbbcl). It's just a comfort zone being from the same brand especially if that brand has Nelson Pass behind it.

I think most philes will end up with different brands. You have done extremely well with your same brand pair. It's not often a manufacturer makes a world class amp AND preamp. They seem to excel at one or the other even though they may make a decent attempt at the other.

RO817, to your last question:

My particular tube pres (CJ ARTs and ACT 2.2) seem to give me more harmonics and in their natural order than the different ss ones I've tried but the XP20 was certainly one of the better ones. Gather as much info as you can but it will eventually come down to your ears and preferences.