I received Pass Labs new XS Preamp this afternoon. It’s in for review, and I can’t wait to hear it. I unpacked it around 10 tonight, and I was shocked by how easy it was to install. Even as heavy as it is and having two chassis, two umbilical cords and all the cables being High Fidelity CT UR cables with the big magnetic unit on each wire, it still took less than an hour to unpack and get it up and running. Compared to most new high-tech preamps, it is totally intuitive to use; big knob turns the volume up or down and everything else is just as intuitive including the remote. It also has a balance control you can use from the remote, why don’t all high end preamps?
I think it really says something about how good Pass Labs thinks the XA 30.8 amps is that were willing to let me review the Xs Preamp with the 30.8. I’ll let it play a CD all night and then continue to break it in before I report back on how it sounds.
Jack, Have you permanently replaced the Wavac with the .8?
Bill, I think so. I have put the Wavac back in for a day or two, but I simply prefer the .8.