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Pass Labs X0.2 vs. X1

Hello, my name is Spiros and I have a problem with high end audio equipment .... A year ago I vowed that I would buy a "nice" audio system and STOP and that pledge lasted about a week. I keep trading upward and the quest seems to have no end in sight. Oddly enough, I don't swap brands just escalate to a higher step within the same brand. For example, I started with a Halo A23 amp (awsome, btw) and now I have a pair of JC-1s (molto awsome). A pair of M-L Ascent i's lasted two weeks before being replaced with the Prodigys. Now comes the preamp: I am absolutely satisfied with the Pass Labs X1 (thanks Lanny Dalton!) but I'm mesmerized by the X0.2. Does anyone have experience with both of these preamps? As it stands, the system now is composed of:
Onkyo 1000 Universal player, MD108 tuner, Pass X1 preamp, Halo JC-1s (Kimber KS1011 & KS1111 for IC) and ML Prodigys (bi-wired Kimber KS3033). Thanks in advance for all your thoughts.
veloceracing

Showing 2 responses by jmcgrogan2

jmcgrogan2's avatar
jmcgrogan2
6,346 posts
 
I would think your first move would be to upgrade the front end digital source. I believe getting a better cd player (or two) would provide a bigger upgrade than going from a X1 to a X0.2.
I personally haven't found a Universal player to my liking, yet. I'm still using a BAT cd player for redbook and a Sony player for SACD's. Try a Audio Aero Capitole mk II or something similar for digital.
The rest of your system seems very well balanced.

Cheers,
John
jmcgrogan2's avatar
jmcgrogan2
6,346 posts
 
I think you have to understand the law of diminishing returns. It's very prevelent in audio. Many times you pay a 100% price increase for small differences, maybe a 3-5% sonic improvement. I'm sure this law would encompass Pass electronics just as it does with all other companies. I've just sold my BAT VK-31SE preamp, which in my opinion, offered 95% of the performance of the VK-51SE for 60% of the price. It all boils down to how much you want to pay to squeeze out that last ounce of music.

Back to the source issue, have you ever listened to an Exemplar modded Denon universal player?

Actually, vinyl is my favorite source, but I didn't mention it because it's either something you do or don't do. Not a whole lot of converts. I'd recommend a tube phono stage, if you can swing it. Perhaps an Aesthetix Rhea. There's something magical about tubes and vinyl, IMHO.

Cheers,
John
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