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. 

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Showing 1 response by speedthrills

I have aa Pass XP10 and Pass 250.8- and Audio research REF150SE amp and the LS28SE pre amp; speakers are Wilson Sasha 2. I switch around combinations of the gear every few months to save hours on the tubes in the ARC and or heat generation - sound. The Pass XP10 is good- quiet, built well and neutral sounding. I can't say it's very exciting or musical. More like a functional unit that neither adds no detracts from the music. I wouldn't look to use it as a pre on a tube amp, I think it'd limit the purpose of using a tube amp by being to neutral, almost dry sounding. I do suggest the reverse though- running a good tube pre amp like the ARC LS28SE or REF 5 into a solid state amp like the Pass - this combo sounds great.