2. amps-preamps
  3. 163337-117859

Pass XP30 preamp makes no difference (from dagogo) ? Wow! (active vs passive vs no preamp)

So I am considering a preamp upgrade. Right now have AGD HE9 into my Pass x350.8 and I do wonder if a better preamp would improve the sound further. Was considering a pass pre then came across this. Maybe i should consider just a passive balanced preamp for volume controls? Dac is Denafrips terminator.

https://www.dagogo.com/bricasti-design-model-1-usb-dac-review/
" so I proceeded to my ultimate test: direct comparison between having the Pass Labs XP-30 three-piece pre-amplification system in the equipment chain and taking it out of the chain. In my experience the Pass XP-30 is the most resolving preamp capable of delivering at very low levels – levels where you have to really be attentive to even hear the music in a dead quiet environment. Only when I got below 18dB did I feel like I was noticing a loss of detail, and even then I wasn’t quite sure. Since I never listen at such low volume levels, and I don’t know of anyone else who does, this was not a practical concern for me. Moreover, even at those very low levels I had to really listen to detect any loss in fidelity. Whatever Bricasti did to achieve it, the M1’s digital volume control is excellent. Note also that output gain is adjustable by setscrews from the back panel. "


smodtactical
ebm
9,311 posts
 
These people now less than nothing a PASS preamp with the 350.8 will be a dynamic,musical,great bass detail combo.I had the PASS 350.8 with MAGICO speakers it was a great sounding combo.I would look at Audiogon or call Reno Hi Fi for a PASS preamp.
smodtactical OP
979 posts
 
Which dac did you have ebm? And did you compare it to dac direct to pass amp?
trudat
60 posts
 
Did a lot of experimentation the other day with a couple DAC's and my XP12 and a loaner XP22.

Ultimately, the XP22 plus DAC was the best combo 85%+ of the time.  

I posted here a few days back.  But, if you can afford a XP22 or XP32... it will out perform a DAC direct 85% of the time or so IMO.

XP22 really impressed me.  I am hoping my dealer decides to sell this demo unit soon so I can afford it.  I badly want it and to support them.  But, I can't really swing full boat.  They don't come up for sale that often I've found.
ebm
9,311 posts
 
Do not have a dac have Esoteric o3XD cd player.
douglas_schroeder
3,281 posts
 
As a fellow Dagogo.com reviewer, a few comments. If I understand correctly, the comparison was between using the Pass preamp's attenuator vs. the Bricasti attenuator. If so, this was one very limited comparison, and should not be seen as any kind of holistic assessment of the Pass preamp. He did not seem to comment at all on the majority of sound parameters associated with both pieces, only the resolution at low level. Imo, it would be erroneous to conclude that a judgment was being made in regard to one being holistically superior to the other. 

trudat,
If a dedicated DAC, not an integrated DAC( like the Bricasti, with a preamp output) is compared to having a preamp, then it would be expected that the insertion of the preamp would be superior, chiefly due to the lower output of the DAC not driving the amp well. Now, if this was a comparison of integrated DACs with preamp function direct to amp, that is an entirely different story. In nearly all cases of dedicated DAC to amp, the insertion of preamp is beneficial, no surprise there. I find, however, that I can build integrated DAC to amp systems that can perform superior to a given set of dedicated DAC/pre/amp. 

IOW, it makes a BIG difference whether the DACs used in your comparison were dedicated or integrated. The results would change significantly based on that variable. Frankly, in recent years I am building more integrated DAC to amp, OR dedicated DAC to integrated amp systems and having superb results. 

Finally, the amp makes as much difference as the pre and DAC. Pick the wrong amp and it pretty well doesn't matter what else you're doing, you're killing the sound quality. 
More to discover