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 brianmgrarcom

brianmgrarcom
1,317 posts
 
My personal opinion is that using cables as tone controls is just masking (or compensating for) other problems.

(I am not saying that cables make no difference.)

I am growing in the opinion that your system should sound in a manner you like with 'cheap' cables, where better cables simply are less restrictive and allow your gear to show through better; quite frankly better cables may reveal short comings in gear as much as help them.

Anyway, it's early, maybe I am not thinking clearly. :)

So to the point of the post, I think there are some issues in your system where you don't have a system match, outside of cables.
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