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Upgrade from Pass Labs XP15 Phono

   I really like Pass Labs equipment, and have had my Pass Labs XP 15 for 8 years. I am thinking of an upgrade. My system consists of Rega P10 turn table, rotating a Hana Umami Blue and Soundsmith Zephyr. XP15, Decware Sarah and Audio Note ANJ speakers. I would like the ability to tweak my gain and impedance settings without pulling the preamp out of the cabinet. I listen to mostly old school jazz, and have a budget of under $10k. A Pass XP17 doesn’t seem like a huge upgrade, but maybe a used Pass Labs XP27. Manley Steelhead RC seems like an obvious choice, maybe bringing down the cost with a trade in. Allnic H5500 is another consideration. Also, maybe matching the Rega P10 with a Rega Aura for more symmetry. The other question would be Tubes vs SS with this system, and how they may effect the sound. Thoughts or recommendations ? Thanks, Mark. 

 

 

marktheshark
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marktheshark OP
66 posts
 
ghdprentice

 

I'm reading about the Zesto Andros right now

ghdprentice's avatar
ghdprentice
9,473 posts
 

👍

iamsportsdoc
5 posts
 

Hi Mark,

What were your impression about the Grimm pw1-phono?

I have a Zephyr MIMC.

THANKS

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audphile1
7,993 posts
 

@marktheshark Thought you were looking for a phono stage with adjustments on the front panel. Lab12 doesn’t seem to have that feature. 

Zesto looks cool. And the higher end models have XLR outputs. I was looking into it but it was more than I wanted to spend. Ended up with Whest Two.2. 
 

I wanted to chime in on the perception of Pass preamps. 
I have owned XP-12 and the dual chassis XP-22. Tremendous performance with XP-22. Compared it to ARC Ref 6 and the Ref was different but not better. If anything the XP-22 was more accurate. The Ref presented a bigger but a less realistic picture. Amps were X260.8 mono blocks.  
I never owned a Pass phono stage so I can’t provide any feedback. I feel most of the folks commenting negatively on Pass preamps had experience with their older series. But…Pass electronics do impart their own sound signature and that is they homogenize a presentation making everything sound equally good. It’s both an advantage and a downside. That’s been my experience. 

Back to phono stages…Audio Research PH9 looks to have front panel buttons for load and impedance changes. 

marktheshark's avatar
marktheshark OP
66 posts
 

Just an update. I have not pulled the trigger on a new phono preamp. Because I am running a Decware 300b, 8 watt amplifier, I am concerned about adding hum to the system by adding a tubed pre. So for now solid state. Also after trying a few amps in the $6K range, I have not heard a large difference from my XP15. iamsportsdoc, you were asking about the Grimm PW1, for the short time I had it, I found it was very detailed and quite background. In order to move up the equipment chain, I need to trade my Leben 300XS, which is not in my system, and it's too much money to be sitting on the shelf. This would allow for the purchase of A Mola Mola Lupe, Accuphase C47 or similar SS Pre. The reviews on both these units are excellent, and they both have adjustable settings on the face. Any other considerations are welcome. On a side note, I found having my PS Audio BHK pre (tube front end) in the circuit with the XP15 and the 300b amp seems to have a larger sound stage, filling the room more, especially at lower volumes. 

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