Audio Research tube preamps pair well with Pass amps. Depends on your budget.
Tube preamp for pass labs ?
I recently bought a brand new Pass Labs x250.8. It seems to be finally broke in after about 800 hours. I’m using a good preamp, the BAT VK-33se. I’m curious what other tube preamps others are using with this amp?
one thing I did was bought inexpensive Wireworld stratus power cables on Sale for $116 shipped brand new for amp, preamp, dac, and server. They seem to have helped settle my system down quite a bit. I really like these inexpensive cords.
but, again what tube preamps are you owners of the 250.8 using?
TIA for any info given.
Starboard
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While not running a Pass anywhere your wattage, I have a Linear Tube Audio microZOTL level 2 with my XA25. It’s a great combination to my ears. The LTA is not as warm sounding as some other tube preamps, but is dynamic, great soundstage, and very natural sounding overall. The class A Pass has a bit of warmth to it (besides thermal), so they mate very well in my system. |
I found after many tried. CAT SL1 mk3 Line Stage with upgraded caps & wiring. Still sounds as good as any, that’s why it’s still around and a winner! Pass needs a great tube preamp to hear its resolve. The next positive surprise and very musical with inner details are Allnic preamps musical & smooth.
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I also enthusiastically recommend Aric Audio and his tube preamps! Hell, all his gear for that matter. Before moving to Coda, I paired The Motherlode with a pair of Pass XA60.8's and the results were amazing. I still have not replaced The Motherlode Preamp in my current reference rack, while all other components have turned over. Call him! His gear and customer service is exemplary in their offerings. |
To my understanding, the Pass Labs amps support AES48, the balanced line standard. This standard has two benefits audiophiles might like. The first is that it prevents ground loops. The second is it prevents the interconnect cable introducing a sound of its own. This means an inexpensive cable can sound as good as one that cost $1000/foot. But to get that benefit, the preamp must also support AES48. There are tube preamps that do this and a few solid state as well. IME most of the high end audio market is ignoring AES48 so you get this argument that single-ended operation can sound just as good as balanced. But when you hear a balanced setup done properly you find there's no going back. |
@maxdukecapone Which ones did you purchase? |
@maxdukecapone Wow, great products. I am using the Super line stage with an earlier version of the Transcend amplifier. Will likely have the Transcend upgraded to the latest version. What speakers are you using? |
It would be in your interests to investigate the Pass Designed Korg B1 Pre Amp. I am familiar with this design used with both SS and Tube. It is a Pre' that has well documented upgrade options. As the basic build it offers a substantial amount and has proven to be a showstopper when built with a compliment of upgrades. |
