2. amps-preamps
  3. 181593-150241

Tube Preamp for Pass XA25 under $3,000

As the title says, I am looking for a Tube Preamp under $3,000 for my office system, which is my main listening space. I just do streaming (Roon/Tidal straight out of high end PC, ie no streamer, into Matrix Audio DAC) and currently have a Schiit Freya plus, new to me Pass Labs XA25 that I love, and Harbeth P3esr in nearfield (four feet). Broad range of music, from acoustic/vocals/americana and jazz to livelier funk and rock at moderate levels.

I like my system, but feel the Freya may be the weak link. I am happy with the sq of the mellower stuff, but the more challenging funk and rock can get a bit muddled in the lower range. I am mostly leaning toward tube preamp, but might consider Pass Labs ss preamp if I can find one that won’t blow my budget. Primarily looking for used gear for the savings. Balanced input is a bonus.

So I am looking at the following that is currently available and under budget roughly in order of preference:

LTA Microzotl Preamp (not headphone amp)

Modwright LS 100 Tube Preamp

Conrad Johnson ET3SE

Prima Luna Dialogue Premium Preamp

new Don Sachs Line Stage Preamp (appears that most used ones available have caps for tube amps, so would probably have to go new here)

Pass Labs xp 10 (none that I can find online now, so that will be a wait and see)

Pass Labs xp 12 (really beyond my budget but might go for it if a good deal arises)

Forget the preamp and invest in streamer

So would like to know if anyone has experience with any of the above preamps with a XA25, or just any general thoughts on which might be best for my situation. Thanks in advance.

jcwilson

Showing 4 responses by avanti1960

avanti1960
1,411 posts
 

The recent Cary thread was about the SLP-05 and fixing the issue centered around too much gain from a high voltage source that had more than twice the voltage that the Cary and many other preamps specify.   The DAC in question had an output of 6 volts, Cary (and Luxman for example) specify a voltage in of 2.5 volts and warn that using higher voltage sources could result in some sound filtering through at zero volume.   Cary would have had to redesign their preamp to block the signal completely as would Luxman and several other preamp makers.

I have had great service from Cary FYI.  Asking them to redesign their unit to accommodate an out of spec source is a tall ask.   

avanti1960
1,411 posts
 

I have a Cary Audio SLP-05 when I had the Pass XA25 and it was a superb match- because the Cary had higher than usual gain (23db). The XA25 has lower than usual gain for a power amp (20 db).

The 05 is over your budget but an SLP-98 is not. You will get a perfect gain match and a refined, sweet sound with incredible dynamics and transparency. Jump on it now before the holiday sale price is over.

EDIT- seriously.  This is a no-brainer at $3K sale price.  

 

avanti1960
1,411 posts
 

the backert labs preamps have a very good reputation, hopefully the 9db of gain will not cause the xa25 to sound anemic because of its  relatively low 20db gain.

my xa25 needed the 24 db gain my cary slp 05 put out, which is why i suggested the slp98 with 23db.  

hope it works for you.  

avanti1960
1,411 posts
 

the XA30.8 has 26 db gain (quite a bit more than the XA25 20db).

It was too much gain for my cary preamp and I sold the amp.

gain matching is critical.  

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