2. amps-preamps
  3. 1112058001

Pass Lab x2.5 preamp owners -- plse help

A week ago I purchased a 1 year old x2.5 to replace a adcom gfp-750. I notice more detail in the mids and highs, bass has improved but my system sounds more 'bright'. I'm using a Proceed HPA-2, Naim CD3.5 and flatcap. have @ 300 hrs on new acoustic zen satori speaker and Matrix Reference XLR between pre and amp. Signal Cable power cords except to CD player. Focus Audio FS688 speakers with empirical jumpers. Naim recommended I plug all of this into a wiremold power strip, which i've done. When I was using the adcom-the mids/highs seemed more etched but not as bright sounding. I would like to someday move up to a Pass Labs amp, but in the mean time would like a cheaper alternative. Would a different power cord tame some of the brightness. Or maybe there just isn't good synergy with the Proceed? Before buying the Pass I didn't read anything saying that brightness was part of its 'sonic signature'. Thank you for any and all advice.
classical1

Showing 1 response by bigkidz

bigkidz
3,415 posts
 
I have owned the X-250 and X-1. What is descriped above is accurate on their sound. When I tried the combo in a buddies system, it did not work and I heard the brightness that you heard. If I recall correctly, it seemed to come from the matching of the Pass gear to his speakers. There seemed to be a certain frequency that was moved forward in the presentation that made the system sound bright. I was using an Elrod EPS Sig 3 power cord so I felt that it was not the power cord. It also could have been the speaker cable and ICs. They were AZ Sil Ref ICs and Home Depot speaker cable. The Cardas Golden Hexlink 5-Cs seemed to reduce the edge or brightness. I'd try a few different cables to see if you can get ride of the brightness and if they don't work, it could be a speaker matching issue.

Happy Listening.
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