Pass Labs X1 vs. Pass Labs X0.2

nooshinjohn

So... tonight I figured out why I was having issues with the X0.2 in my system... turns out my son got ahold of the remote for my PS Audio PerfectWave DAC, and turned the volume way down on it. This made me have to turn everything else way up to compensate. I got everything trimmed out to where it should have been, but then found the X1 was exhibiting the same behavior.

The X1 has two settings for gain, a "low' setting, which was what I always use, and a "high" setting which I never touch. I set the gain back to the "low" setting and all went back to normal.

The troubles with the X0.2 is likely not an issue with the pre itself, but rather a function of my amplifiers themselves being too sensitive to the input they see from the preamp. I suspect something on the order of 20db to 30db of gain coming out of the pre is just not a match.

BlueFox

Yikes. Too complicated for me.

Good job. Hope it sounds fine now.

nooshinjohn

The high gain output from the X1 is 14db, and low output from the X0.2 is also 14db, and each exhibits the same level of noise at zero volume. I suspect my amps need to see a straight line-stage preamp with zero gain for me to do better than what I’ve got with the X1.

audioluvr

Hmmm. You should send it to me for evaluation...

nooshinjohn

audioluvr wrote: »

Hmmm. You should send it to me for evaluation...

LOL... it is actually on it's way home now. Should be here Monday. Pass Labs backed the gain down to 3db. The noise floor has been significantly reduced, which will resolve the hissing issue permanently.

I look forward to hearing it again, especially with the ClearAudio Goldfinger on the way.

audioluvr

That looks like a heavenly setup!

tonyb

nooshinjohn wrote: »

The high gain output from the X1 is 14db, and low output from the X0.2 is also 14db, and each exhibits the same level of noise at zero volume. I suspect my amps need to see a straight line-stage preamp with zero gain for me to do better than what I’ve got with the X1.

ZERO gain ?? That my friend would be a passive pre me thinks. Maybe an adjustable gain, like the Joule's where the higher end is only 12 db's

nooshinjohn

OK... The Pass Labs X0.2 has been re-installed in my system and is still coming up to speed, but now that the hiss has been eliminated, my initial impressions are that the three-box X0.2 is more than just a small upgrade over the X1. Improvements are in several categories that I will try and go into as time goes on.

Initially, I would say this preamp is much faster sounding. The aggressive attack on a drum kit moves with the required speed that adds realism to it. A cymbal crescendo can be distinctly broken down into the individual strikes and subtle taps that make each contact. The decay, shimmer and fade is also rendered in beautiful detail.

Guitars can take on a sinister growl, with a resonant quality that was not present before, and the subtle efforts an artist puts into his/her technique are clearly rendered in luxurious detail.


More later as I get to know what else this piece can do...

BlueFox

Great. Have fun.

nooshinjohn

Details and overall timbral balance is also enhanced at lower volumes. Soundstage depth is also something that jumps out as being significantly improved.

nooshinjohn

BlueFox wrote: »

Great. Have fun.

There are no words for this kind of fun.

Clipdat

So are you still noticing all of those positive traits that you did earlier, but now without the excessive white noise hiss?

nooshinjohn

Absolutely, and without the white noise, it is even better. I can honestly say that I see no need whatsoever to spend more money on this setup for the core components. I may upgrade cables and such, but I have reached a place where that law of diminishing returns meets with contentment.

Clipdat

Well it took a few trips back and forth to Pass, but it sounds like it was worth it! Glad you are enjoying your truly reference level preamp.

nooshinjohn

Clipdat wrote: »

Well it took a few trips back and forth to Pass, but it sounds like it was worth it! Glad you are enjoying your truly reference level preamp.

Not their fault I think... They had a certain design parameter in mind, and it just needed to be throttled back a touch in order to fit my needs. My hat's off to Nelson Pass and the talented bunch at the Labs for being at the forefront of customer service.

The experience of being treated with the utmost of respect as a second-hand consumer is more than enough to place Pass Labs at the top of my list for any future new equipment purchases I might make as well as my first recommendation for anyone seeking a top quality ownership experience.

My hope is our patron company that now also produces the highly respected Classe line of components remembers their own past and returns to such a level of customer concern and support.

tonyb

If I didn't know better John, I'd say....you got a woody.

Congrats my friend, sounds like you got a keeper there.

steveinaz

Shoot, I got a woody just listening to him.

nooshinjohn

LMAO... one of the great things about this forum is being able to look back upon the audio journey of others. Darqueknight is the one guy on here I tend to look to the most as I have upgraded gear since I joined. The tube audio guys inspired me to even look at tubes, and guys like Toolfan66 pushed me into the DIY area of the hobby.

Button line is that my setup would still be an entry-level AVR and a set of Monitor 50’s if it weren’t for the help, and inspiration of you guys here on the Polk forum. Not entirely sure how my wallet feels about things, but on behalf of my ears, I thank you.

JayCee

Not trying to be snarky, John, but playing catch-up on several threads. A short time back you were looking to liquidate your equipment to the horror of EVERYONE. May have missed it in another thread but why the 180 and at a much higher level? I'm glad to see you're still in the game

nooshinjohn

Sometimes you need to take a step or two backwards in order to see a path forward. I was also kind of burned out for a while after the fiasco of the Krell CDP. After taking stock of the situation, and coming across an amazing deal for the Pass Xono and X0.2, I was able to see a path forward that took nothing from my bank account to accomplish.


So I was able to get the upgrades I was seeking without touching my credit cards. I call that a win-win.

JayCee

Very cool. Glad you found the path!

nooshinjohn

Classy way to make your introduction to the forum. <rolls eyes>

Clipdat

All caps sound the same, duh.

pitdogg2

Clipdat wrote: »

koskot wrote: »

I know I am out of my depth here, among people of much greater experience and knowledge, but if I may say, that a friend of mine has the Pass Labs X.02 and the phono and when I looked inside them they use very cheap AXON capacitors. I was thinking to suggest to him that if he were to replace these Axon with something like V-Cap CuTF or Stealthcap, I think the system will just get to another league.
What is your opinion?
Please excuse my ignorance, but one has to ask in order to learn.

All caps sound the same, duh.

Dang it man now you tell me

Clipdat

pitdogg2 wrote: »

Dang it man now you tell me

Yep, there's never a need to use anything better than Dayton caps! Anyone who does is wasting their money because there's no audible difference!

motorhead43026

Dayton, the poverty cap.