2. amps-preamps
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Pass Labs “House Sound” vs. McIntosh “House Sound”

I’m contemplating swapping out my McIntosh C2500 for a Pass Labs XP-20.  I’ve searched the forums for posts on the Pass Labs XP-20, being that it was released quite some time ago, I didn’t find too much referencing the sound characteristics.  Read plenty of reviews, but those, as we all know, are often full of audio journalistic color.  Any one able to comment on the Pass Labs “house sound”, per se?  Possibly what trade offs happen when migrating from McIntosh preamps.
toddcowles

Showing 2 responses by aberyclark

aberyclark
1,355 posts
 
My combo (BHK Pre-Firstwatt J2) sounds great with jazz and classic rock. However, with modern, more electronic music, a little muffled. I'm thinking a c2700 with a Pass XA.30 or another SS amp of theirs that use balanced connections. I was told the Pass SS amps will be much more snappy and dynamic vs the J2.

I have ZU omen defs and SVS subs.
aberyclark
1,355 posts
 
How does one know if a Pre amp is truly balanced when shopping. Is my BHK pre truly balanced?
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