Jay's Take: Pass Labs XP32

[@mmdusa]

Hey Jay. First let me say how much I enjoy your videos. You always give us very interesting reviews. Love your enthusiasm. I own the Pass Labs XP-22. And I have found that it does a fantastic job of bringing out the clarity and dynamics of my music. I really love how my system sounds. But yeah, you really have to crank the volume knob to get it to make sound. But oh that sound is great! Keep up the great work. Thanks!

[@ronbackal]

Hi! Thanks for posting . Which power amp do you use ?

[@GT-Diaries]

Thanks Jay with the great content 👍

[@rw3915]

Hello Jay - Keep on keepkin'-on man. I enjoy living dangerously through you, so to speak. I enjoy your pursuit after the perfect two channel system also. 👍

[@ckmartinez]

Terrific review! Many thanks, Jay:)

[@julianchen4764]

The volume thing is just the way Pass Labs designed their XP 12/22/32 series. I owned all three of them from 12, 22, now 32. Yes, you need to turn the volume all the way to 60 (120 on 32) before you can barely hear anything.

[@scaf_007vs3]

If you would entertain me for a moment. I haven't listened to any of these preamps, but I'm sure they all sound excellent. Based on your experience, would you say the xp22 is closer to performance of the xp12 or closer to the xp32? To put in numerical terms, let's say the xp12 is a 1 on a scale of 1 to 10, and the xp32 is a 10. Is the xp22 a 5 right in the middle, or is it higher or lower? I think explained my question, but just to be sure, I'm not claiming the xp12 to be a dud. I'm just giving it a sliding scale and I had to start somewhere 😅

[@borisjelenc1217]

Thanks, interesting considering what is said is a good product. With the pass preamp xp 32 inside, I see that the number of parts works in a way less is more, relatively few parts, six transformers and about 160000uf of power supply capacity per channel.

[@danielesbordone1871]

That really is an impressive preamp.

[@warren818]

Creatin' the buzz!

[@steve6465]

Another Great video Jay 👍

[@robertrasmussen763]

the volume issue could be due to the impedance of the circuit. Great job on this

[@travisb4397]

Jay, how would you compare this to the Luxman C-900u.

[@regisvoiclair]

Hi ! Is there a link where we can see : - your ranked list of preamps - your ranked list of amps - your ranked list of SACD players - your ranked list of DAC/Streamers - your ranked list of DAC It would be a great ideai for all your followers to be able to see thoses lists, and see them evolve when new devices are tested. Thank you !

[@bikemike1118]

Thanks Jay 👍🏼

[@hycc8190]

Thank you Jay

[@puertoricanaudiophile4840]

I think that Pass stuff is great but when comparing price points it doesn’t compete outside of build quality. The versatility is a big plus on this unit though.

[@datka3]

Wonder if you'll find new Luxman CL1000 to play with one day ,

[@xsamitt]

i agree....I would like that as well!!!!

[@jctai100]

C'mon guys let's get this guy to 5K subs at least

[@elitetrader5468]

I used to own a Pass X1. It was great for the money. Then I got a T + A P 3100 HV. Vastly better. And vastly more expensive.

[@davidchaney1516]

If I was looking for a good preamp, I would seriously consider Pass Labs.

[@reinholdmartynmessner2294]

Jay, what is your rating for the Gryphon Diablo 300 integrated? Keep up the good work!

[@labalo5]

Just get it if you’re on the fence.

[@reinholdmartynmessner2294]

@@labalo5 do you have one?

[@labalo5]

@@reinholdmartynmessner2294 no. I have a diablo 120 and it is delivering in spades. I’m sure if you’re eyeing the 300, then I would presume, you have a system thats up to par or you just went straight to the top! The 120 is wonderful, but its not by accident that the 300 is/has been hailed as one of the best Integrateds. For some, its a forever piece.

[@reinholdmartynmessner2294]

@@labalo5 thank you.....I have the Diablo 300 with Magico A5’s and Aesthetix signature phono.....nordost cables.....best🥂

[@labalo5]

@@reinholdmartynmessner2294 enjoy in good health!

[@rickclopton1483]

How do you compare this Pre to the Audio Research Ref 6 SE?

[@jaysaudiolab]

Will do a former review of ref6

[@Mark-lq3sb]

Yes, I would love to hear your opinion on the REF6se compared to a Pass Labs XP-32.

[@ronpi1293]

Can't wait to hear if Wayne Colburn finally got it right, vs his XP-30 your "worst of the worst preamp "

[@bikemike1118]

..“ finally“ 😂. Once had the X1 preamp. Wasn’t bad but no chance against the replacement from a different brand. Pass amps top, preamps (at least in the past) not SO great 🤷🏻

[@learnguitarat6043]

HI Jay - you gave the XP-32 about 80% to 85%. I have the XP-30 and I didn't get mad (lol) when you rated it last out of the group of 8 preamps. What rating would you give the XP-30??? That will give people a good feel for the improvement when going to the XP-32. Thanks!!

[@jeffinnh76]

How would this pair with the Harbeth 40.3's

[@audiohertz2341]

More Pass excitement and congrats again Jay , i had mentioned in one of your videos before and with all due respect Again when comparing amps and preamps you have to pay attn to line drive impedance and load with amps , these two things will create winners and losers for your setup mostly, not until consistency of sonics negative or positive thru a variety of situations will you be able to have a viable ranking .. This was obvious when you had-your Krell amp with the wrong pre amp ..

[@sstarch]

Neutral is studio envoirment :)

[@Smood47]

Yo Jay how do you compare 2 preamps (XP30 and XP32) when you completely changed your system since hearing the first preamp ?

[@jaysaudiolab]

It's how most reviewers do it...my memory...

[@Smood47]

@@jaysaudiolab The issue isn't your memory. The issue is that so many components (including the speakers) changed.

[@Smood47]

How can you possibly know what a different preamp is doing to the sound when you changed nearly everything including the speakers? It makes 0 sense.

[@OakForestAudio]

@@jaysaudiolab Bro what? You want to review you do it level matched same transducer, same music, same system Cmon man, memory is never a replacement for first hand experience. Love the enthusiasm tho dude hope you can continue to grow and elevate your content beyond what your remember

[@audiohertz2341]

BTW Jay , I would love to hear when you are fully satisfied with your M6 , heard them on 2 different occasions and cant agree with the totally neutral comment , no loudspeaker is really and the M6 does have a House sounds same for all Magico’s models and every loudspeakers really . Some are less so than others of course ..

[@johankwek6667]

👍👍👍

[@analogjames3429]

"Even the flaw, it's not the most neutral and transparent" lol. So, if a preamp design (according to you) is not the most neutral or transparent based on "your" parameters then it's a FLAW is laughable.

[@jctai100]

Xtra comment for the algo

[@turkandproud69]

Why not try accuphase? Im tossing between this or accuphase C2150 or C2450 pre