Solid State Preamp Reviews

Pass Laboratories XP-30 line preamplifier Specifications

Sidebar 1: Specifications

Description: Remote-controlled, three-chassis line preamplifier. Analog inputs: 6 balanced, 6 unbalanced, plus Tape Input. Analog outputs: 2 pairs (1 variable-level, Master; 1 fixed-level, Slave) balanced on XLRs; 2 pairs (Maater, Slave) unbalanced on RCAs. Gain range: –90dB to +10dB in 99 steps of 1dB. Frequency response: 2Hz–60kHz, –3dB. Signal/noise: >110dB ref. 5V. Channel separation: 100dB at 1kHz, ref. 1V. CMRR: 60dB at 1kHz. Input impedance: 42k ohms, balanced. Output impedance: 120 ohms, single-ended; 120 ohms, balanced. Power consumption: 45W.
Dimensions: (each chassis) 17" (432mm) W by 4" (102mm) H by 12" (305mm) D. Shipping weight: 75 lbs (34kg).
Serial numbers of units reviewed: 24405 (control chassis), 24404 (left-channel chassis), 24403 (right-channel chassis).
Price: $16,500. Approximate number of dealers: 15.
Manufacturer: Pass Laboratories Inc., PO Box 219, Foresthill, CA 95631. Tel: (530) 367-3690. Fax: (530) 367-2193. Web: passlabs.com.

COMPANY INFO
Pass Laboratories Inc.
PO Box 219
Foresthill, CA 95631
(530) 367-3690
passlabs.com
ARTICLE CONTENTS

COMMENTS
Bill B's picture
Submitted by Bill B on March 30, 2013 - 11:04pm

Wow, JA! This could be the model for truly full reviews.Nice job.  

John Atkinson's picture
Submitted by John Atkinson on March 31, 2013 - 6:23am

Bill B wrote:
Wow, JA! This could be the model for truly full reviews.Nice job.

Thanks, Bill B. With a product this musically satisfying, the words come easier than usual.

 John Atkinson

Editor, Stereophile

Bob F's picture
Submitted by Bob F on March 31, 2013 - 5:04pm

Echoing what Bill B wrote- This is a most excellent review.

Being fairly good friends with Wayne, I found your characterization of him to be spot on. He is as humble and down to earth as it gets and you couldn't meet a nicer person.

I'm delighted to see his human qualities recognized and represented so eloquently. When he told me he got this cover, I asked him how many print copies he was getting and he humbly shrugged it off as only he can.

Now I'll have to see about organizing a personal demo of the XP-30 wink

Robby's picture
Submitted by Robby on April 2, 2013 - 2:52am

Great review of a really well engineered product.

As the happy owner of both an XP-10 as well as an XP-20 I must admit music seems to be more involving and enjoyable since I've got them in my systems. Maybe it's the Pass Labs house sound or maybe it's simply the passion that their designers put in making those products.

Pass Labs products always seem to have soul...

rwand@wh2a.com's picture
Submitted by rwand@wh2a.com on September 15, 2015 - 3:12am

With all due respect: Why on earth would anybody put a capacitor in the signal path. What if one has an amplifier with a low impedance input. The 600 ohms graph looks very much like the high pass filter of my speakers. Not in the XP-10, not in the XP-20 and not even in the Xs. What is goin' on in the XP-30...?

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