Pass Laboratories XP-10 and XP-20 2-Channel Preamplifiers Preview

By Tom Andry — January 09, 2009

Pass Laboratories XP-20

Summary

Product Name: XP-10 and XP-20
Manufacturer: Pass Laboratories
Review Date: January 09, 2009 00:30
MSRP: $5,250 and $8,600
First Impression: Pretty Cool
Pass Laboratories exhibited its high-end XP-10 and XP-20 2-channel preamplifiers which feature Pass Labs signature beveled billet aluminum front panels.

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Specifications

Specifications	XP-10	XP-20
Gain	1 / 10 dB	3 / 9 dB
No. Volume control steps	64	63
Freq. Response	-3 dB @ 2Hz, -3 dB @ 60kHz	-3 dB @ 2Hz, -3 dB @ 60kHz
Distortion	approx. 0.001%	approx. 0.001%
Maximum Output Voltage	7V single-ended, 15V Balanced	7V single-ended, 15V Balanced
Output Impedance	200 ohms single-ended, 1K/leg balanced	200 ohms single-ended, 1K/leg balanced
Input Impedance	48K single-ended, 48K per leg balanced	48K single-ended, 48K per leg balanced
Number of gain paths	4	4
Input voltage before overload	11 volts	11 volts
CMRR	approx. -60 dB @ 1 kHz	approx. -60 dB @ 1 kHz
Output Noise Floor	less than 0.5 uV	less than 0.5 uV
Crosstalk	-85 dB	-95 dB
Inputs	2 balanced, 3 single-ended	2 balanced, 3 single-ended
Tape loop	no	yes
External Amp turn-on	no	yes
Remote control	yes	yes
Power Supply	Internal	External
Power Consumption	20 Watts	25 Watts
No. of Chassis	1	2
Chassis Dimensions	1 @ 17" W x 12" D x 4" H	2 @ 17" W x 12" D x 4" H
Shipping Weight	28	55

Pass Laboratories exhibited its high-end XP-10 and XP-20 2-channel preamplifiers which feature Pass Labs signature beveled billet aluminum front panels. Building upon the XP-10, the XP-20 upgrades to an isolated power supply to further enhance its performance. Both the XP-10 and XP-20 are housed in sleek chassis of brushed aluminum, measuring 17 inches wide by 12 inches deep by 4 inches high. The XP-20 has a second matching chassis for its external power supply, which can be turned on using the remote control. Both preamps furnish two balanced and three single-ended inputs. Like all Pass Laboratories designs, these products minimize the number of components and stages in the signal path, a design choice that is intended to reproduce the purist fidelity possible.

Specifications:

Specifications	XP-10	XP-20
Gain	1 / 10 dB	3 / 9 dB
No. Volume control steps	64	63
Freq. Response	-3 dB @ 2Hz, -3 dB @ 60kHz	-3 dB @ 2Hz, -3 dB @ 60kHz
Distortion	approx. 0.001%	approx. 0.001%
Maximum Output Voltage	7V single-ended, 15V Balanced	7V single-ended, 15V Balanced
Output Impedance	200 ohms single-ended, 1K/leg balanced	200 ohms single-ended, 1K/leg balanced
Input Impedance	48K single-ended, 48K per leg balanced	48K single-ended, 48K per leg balanced
Number of gain paths	4	4
Input voltage before overload	11 volts	11 volts
CMRR	approx. -60 dB @ 1 kHz	approx. -60 dB @ 1 kHz
Output Noise Floor	less than 0.5 uV	less than 0.5 uV
Crosstalk	-85 dB	-95 dB
Inputs	2 balanced, 3 single-ended	2 balanced, 3 single-ended
Tape loop	no	yes
External Amp turn-on	no	yes
Remote control	yes	yes
Power Supply	Internal	External
Power Consumption	20 Watts	25 Watts
No. of Chassis	1	2
Chassis Dimensions	1 @ 17" W x 12" D x 4" H	2 @ 17" W x 12" D x 4" H
Shipping Weight	28	55

The XP-10 and XP-20 Preamplifiers are available now from authorized Pass Labs dealers at suggested retail prices of $5,250 and $8,600, respectively.

For more information, visit www.passlabs.com.

Unless otherwise indicated, this is a preview article for the featured product. A formal review may or may not follow in the future.

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About the author:

As Associate Editor at Audioholics, Tom promises to the best of his ability to give each review the same amount of attention, consideration, and thoughtfulness as possible and keep his writings free from undue bias and preconceptions. Any indication, either internally or from another, that bias has entered into his review will be immediately investigated. Substantiation of mistakes or bias will be immediately corrected regardless of personal stake, feelings, or ego.

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