Pass X1 and Rowland Capri Preamps

I know this is surprising but I compared the Pass XP20 to the Capri and preferred the Capri in my system. The presentations were very different. The Pass is leaner, cleaner, and more detailed. The Capri warmer, with more rounded edges. But the Capri is hardly a fuzzy sounding preamp. I had to try quite a few preamps before I found one that I preferred over the Capri. I was sad to part with it.

Hello JL35. I got a Nagra PL-L. For me, space is at a premium, and I really appreciate smaller footprint components. The Nagra and Capri prove that small is beautiful.

I agree with Swanny in some respects -- trying them both is best, as both Swanny and I did. I didn't think the XP20 was lean sounding -- it just sounded leaner and less musical to me, in my system, than the Capri did. I also agree with Swanny's characterization of the Capri's bottom end -- perhaps not lacking (in my system), but a little loose. Which is why I ultimately paid a lot more more for the Nagra. One other note on the Capri -- I found it superb at low volume levels (as was the Pass).

Now, back to Tvad's points -- these are jut Swanny's and my experience with these components in our systems. With both of these components there are risk free ways to try them both out in *your* system. A pain, yes, but worth it.