Pass Labs Preamps with tube amps?


I see plenty of search results for tube preamps with pass amps, but curious who’s experienced pass preamps (XP-10, 12, 20, 22) feeding low watt tube amps. Specifically SET amps, but any tube experiences would help.

I will be setting up two amps to swap between. a low watt SET amp and a solid state. My main amp listening being SET tube amp. 

128x128kray

Showing 1 response by johnboston

I have a Pass Labs XP-32 pre feeding an Air Tight ATM-300R (low power 300b tube amp).  All sounds great to me.  Best my system has sounded.  Detailed, but great natural timbre as well.

For what it’s worth, I also have a Pass Labs XA 25 solid state amp — relatively low power and very well reviewed.  The XA 25 sounds great with the XP-32 as well, but the Air Tight is much better (as it should be at a much higher price level than the XA 25).  My only point in making the comparison is that a Pass pre with a great tube amp can outperform a Pass pre matched to a good Pass solid state amp.