Preamp to go with Pass Labs Rushmore Speaker

You should mate the pre with the power amp and not the speaker.

The speaker is active (has built-in amps)so in this case matching the amp is matching the speaker. What is the input impedance of the speaker/amp? Are the amps essentially XAs?

I also own a pair of Rushmore speakers by Pass Labs. I am using a tube preamp with my Rushmore's . Calypso, by Aesthetix .

Try the Allnic L-3000. I tried one and loved but $10K is a little more than I wan to spend on a pre-amp.

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Too little info for a good response....

What is it that he "doesn't like" about the Pass pre?

What model is it?

How much is he willing to spend?

Is he willing to buy used?

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Pass Labs XP-10 or XP-20 Preamps

Kind of hard to be specific without knowing if he wants a more relaxed sound or a sharper one. Short of that, I'd recommend looking into some of Conrad Johnson's newer tube preamps. I am very happy with them driving my Pass amps.

I have found the Audio Research Reference range (Ref 3 or 5) of preamps to work very well and is a safe bet with the Rushmore's, which I have been using for a number of years now. The SMC Vre-1 may be better but ultra sensitive to cabling and source components. Surprisingly I have found the older XO Pass pre a bit too bland for the Rushmore.

I too would recommend the Pass preamps, but the OP has given little info. To change the topic slightly, I'm interested to read that there are a few Rushmores out there. I hadn't realized that Pass sold many of these. Could I ask the owners what speakers they compared these to and what they sound like. I have all Pass electronics and have not read or heard anything about the Pass speakers. Thanks.