AudioCircle

Audio/Video Gear and Systems => All Solid State => Topic started by: Alehouse on 16 Mar 2024, 12:58 pm

Title: Where do you go from a Pass Labs XP20?
Post by: Alehouse on 16 Mar 2024, 12:58 pm

How are you? I am new here and just reaching out to see if there are Pass Lab XP20 owners that have upgraded and what did they upgrade to? The XP20 is incredible and am just curious. Thanks

Title: Re: Where do you go from a Pass Labs XP20?
Post by: I.Greyhound Fan on 16 Mar 2024, 02:49 pm

I went from a Pass Preamp (not an XP-20) to a BAT VK-51se tube preamp to go with my Pass X250 amp.  It was a nice step up.

Title: Re: Where do you go from a Pass Labs XP20?
Post by: JakeJ on 17 Mar 2024, 03:31 pm

I have had good luck mating tube preamps to solid state power amps.  I have experience with the Pass Labs XP-20 preamp as well as YBA, Rowland and AVM SS preamps and they all were better than the Pass, IMO.

Title: Re: Where do you go from a Pass Labs XP20?
Post by: Alehouse on 31 Mar 2024, 12:01 am

Thanks, I actually went from a VTL 5.5 series II to the xp20. Ed

Title: Re: Where do you go from a Pass Labs XP20?
Post by: Rocket on 31 Mar 2024, 04:05 am

Hi,

All I know is that Pass Labs makes very high quality equipment. I definitely wouldn't upgrade without a demonstration in your own home.

Cheers Rod

Title: Re: Where do you go from a Pass Labs XP20?
Post by: gene9p on 31 Mar 2024, 03:12 pm

I had a Pass pre amp..not the 20..I now use a Mac C2300 tube pre amp..with a Pass XA25 amp of course.

Title: Re: Where do you go from a Pass Labs XP20?
Post by: Mr Peabody on 12 Apr 2024, 06:53 pm

If you like the 20 an obvious move could be the 30.  I'd check with a Pass dealer or email Pass to ask about comparison.  Pass is a bit unusual in their preamps are not voiced the same.  It's not like a 30 will be the 20 just better.  If I was moving from the 20 I'd give a listen to D'Agostino.

What power amp(s) do you have?

Title: Re: Where do you go from a Pass Labs XP20?
Post by: twitch54 on 12 Apr 2024, 07:24 pm

Quote from: Rocket on 31 Mar 2024, 04:05 am

Hi,

All I know is that Pass Labs makes very high quality equipment. I definitely wouldn't upgrade without a demonstration in your own home.

Cheers Rod

Rod, best response so far, couldn't agree more.