Pass Labs X-1, X2.5 preamp volume increments.

Hi there skiroe,
I recently owned two Pass .5 series amps (X150.5 and XA30.5) used with an X1. My sources have max outputs in a range of 2V (RCA) to 4.5V (XLR), while speaker efficiency was 91dB (nominal).
In this setup, volume increments were borderline too loud even at the setting of "1" - meaning that I and my wife probably could not sleep to the music. But it could still be considered low volume listening, and it worked in my setup. Make sure you use the "low gain" setting for the X1, which has lower noise floor in any event.
Because of the efficiency of the speakers, I had to step down the Ono’s output so that I could get a decent range of volume adjustment. If you have a way to do this with your sources, it should not be a problem. If you have less efficient speakers, you could get better results than I did.
I did try the XP-10, and have since moved on to the INT-30A. Both of these offer a much greater range of volume steps than the X1, which I appreciate.
In addition to the loss of the tape loop, you will lose the "mono" output, a sense of fuller bass, and less warmth with the XP-10 vs. the X1. You will gain increased transparency, speed, lower noise floor, and remote control ergonomics moving to the XP-10.
If you have a system or sources that tend towards thin or bright, the X1 will likely be a good choice. If you have sources that are warm or might benefit from a little energy, the XP-10 will likely be a better match. If your system is pretty neutral, either would likely work well.
Also speak to Kent English at Pass.

Thanks much for the info..   (George)   re/source output,  amp gain,  speaker sensitivity---I hear where you are coming from---but--- just off the top of my head ..  would not a preamp that is able to do volume increments of .5db or even 1db  have more capability  of volume range  then a pre  that does it in 2 or even 3 db steps?  Seems to me it would..  (Watercourse)    And hearing of your experience with bedroom system of being a bit too loud at "1" setting is exactly what I was contemplating could happen.   I have had systems like that.    My speakers are 96db in the bedroom now and sources are rca likely around 2-3 v.    My bedroom system is now using a Creek passive pre but it is also hooked hooked into a Decware  Csp2 non remote preamp ... Sounds like a lot of signal routing doesnt it?   It sounds fine though but I think I have some redundancy going on and would like to get back to a  single active preamp with remote capability.  The Creek has a remote  but its passive which I like to think is not affecting the signal all that much.    What is nice about the Csp2 though is it has adjustable gain for each channel.  This system lets me get the volume down so low that one can leave it on all night and forget its on until you wake up and still be slightly audible were one to wake up..     Although, the thing here is I really wanted to put the Pass X-1 or X2.5 in the main system so as to run it with my XA30.5 which would be a first for me to actually run a pre and amp of the same manufacturer and see what that might unveil.   I can switch back and forth with the Pass or put the SF Line 1 in the bedroom where the tape deck is. 
Thanks again for the thoughts,
Skip  

Oh,  I have spoken to Kent although not about this and may do that.  
Watercourse--- What is the Ono?   

skiroeThanks much for the info.. (George) re/source output, amp gain, speaker sensitivity---I hear where you are coming from---but--- just off the top of my head .. would not a preamp that is able to do volume increments of .5db or even 1db have more capability of volume range then a pre that does it in 2 or even 3 db steps?

Depends on the sources output, I’ve seen some cdp that have 6v output at 0dbf and some the only have 1v output at 0dbf. This then would be the deciding factor on which one will be quiet enough at minimum. Then there are the amp gain and speaker efficiency which will come into it as well after that.

This is why Nelson Pass also quoted this little gem. (Even though he designs and sells preamp with gain, he needs an income as well as anyone.)

" Nelson Pass,

We’ve got lots of gain in our electronics. More gain than some of us need or want. At least 10 db more.

Think of it this way: If you are running your volume control down around 9 o’clock, you are actually throwing away signal level so that a subsequent gain stage can make it back up.

Routinely DIYers opt to make themselves a “passive preamp” - just an input selector and a volume control.

What could be better? Hardly any noise or distortion added by these simple passive parts. No feedback, no worrying about what type of capacitors – just musical perfection.

And yet there are guys out there who don’t care for the result. “It sucks the life out of the music”, is a commonly heard refrain (really - I’m being serious here!). Maybe they are reacting psychologically to the need to turn the volume control up compared to an active preamp."

Cheers George

Sorry, "Ono" is the Pass Aleph Ono, their first phono stage. I stepped down the output voltage to about 2V, and that gave me a workable volume adjustment range, while still being above the unit's noise floor.