2. amps-preamps
  3. 172503-168388

Pass Labs XA25 without preamp (from a variable output source) vs INT25

Hi!

 

I just have a single source system (a DAC with a high quality variable output) so what would be the best aounding option? DAC direct to XA25 through the variable output or DAC with fixed output and an INT25?

Reading between lines it seems INT25 looses some transparency and gravitates to a warm sound compared to the very clean and transparent sound the XA25 provides. I love a transparent, rich and 3D sound but I don't want a lean sound. 


Anyone here uses the XA25 without preamp from a high quality variable output source?

 

Thanks!

 

 

joegt
avanti1960
1,405 posts
 

running an xa25 with a very nice tube preamp. a solid, transparent dynamic linestage is by far the way to go for energy, blistering dynamics and soundstage.

many people grossly underestimate the contribution a top quality linestage can make.  

andypandy
49 posts
 

 

@joegt If you don’t need the extra gain, adding a preamp will give you extra noise, extra distortion (good or bad), less detail and separation, extra wiring, I’m sure there are others.

Going direct, if you have enough gain, and your source is low output impedance negates all of those negatives above. You "may" not like it as it "may" show up other problems a little more focused. Andy

 

runwell
279 posts
 

avanti1960,

I can't agree more!

The sound without pre will go quite flat in most situation.

 

 

amplifierdude
142 posts
 

Sound without a pre is only flat if your DAC has a crappy output stage. Buy a properly engineered DAC and that won't be a problem. 

andypandy
49 posts
 

Sound without a pre is only flat if your DAC has a crappy output stage. Buy a properly engineered DAC and that won’t be a problem.

+1 Most dacs today have ss output stages that are just as good if not better than your mega buck preamps, and defintetly better than tube preamps. Andy

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