Home Review Pass Labs XP-22

Review Pass Labs XP-22

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Pros

  • Prachtige pre-amp
  • Geeft écht inzicht
  • Lekker energiek

Cons

  • Alleen analoog
  • Twee 'dozen'

Price: € 10900

Bouwkwaliteit
Inzetbaarheid
Weergave
Prijs
Pass Labs XP-22

Intro

Contents

There are some devices you just need to hear. At least once in you ‘audiolife’. Think of a Spectral system. Or a set of Wilson Audio speakers. Or what about Bowers & Wilkins’ legendary Nautilus? In reference of the author in question: a Pass pre-stage is also part of this. We have the Pass Labs XP-22 in the listening room. The step-up of the ‘12‘. Is it worth the extra 3000 euros and extra shelf space?

Well… over 10,000 euros for a pre-amp. The lucky few who can take the plunge to do this in this segment have a few difficult choices to make. Because lurk around the corner: Spectral, Pass Labs, Soulution, Nagra… or, for example: Ayre… that’s a difficult choice to make!  They’re all beautiful. First world problems… But let’s get on with the Pass.

Legends

If we type this piece, it’s Legends Month at Radio Veronica. Everyone is allowed to pass on his or her legend in the field of music, acting, etc. They’re making lists of them again. A nice hook for us to use Nelson Pass as a legend.

The best man has undoubtedly earned his spurs in the world of hi-fi and high-end audio. And not only by putting beautiful products on the market. An example: his diagrams of the Aleph series can be found everywhere and can be built for the Handy Harries this way. In this way he shares his knowledge and insights on the internet with other enthusiasts. It’s beautiful.

In short: if you have time and the two right hands, you can build your own Pass Aleph. Of course, these are not the same schematics as XP-10, 12, 20, 22, 30, 32… Or other X-series. But beautiful!

XP-22

Okay. back to the XP-22. The Pass Labs XP-22 is a completely symmetrical pre-amp. The XP-22 is in fact an XP-12 with an external power supply. Of course, this external power supply is made in a nice box. This extra housing is easy to put away. By making the large – much more luxurious – power supply external, there is less negative influence from the power supply on the electronics of the front stage. Think of scattered fields.

Also, the power supply is heavier and easier to produce in the extra box, than the ‘single box’ solution. After all, there’s more room. According to Pass Labs, this has clearly audible influences. More space, more punch, more control. We’re gonna go through it.

Entrances and exits

Briefly about the XP-22. The inputs and outputs are the same as those of the XP-12. So 2 x balanced, 3 x single ended, a tape loop and balanced and single ended out. Then there is one extra input: the power supply. This is a thick, round plug that goes between the extra box and the pre-amp. Pass Labs supplies this cable, of course.

Amplifier type
Integrated
Bridgemode
No
Amplifier inputs
  • Analog RCA
Amplifier outputs
  • Analog RCA
Build in dac
Yes

Winkels met Pass Labs

Sint-Antoniusstraat 15
2300 Turnhout, BE
Joseph Bensstraat 21
1180 Ukkel, BE
Bredabaan 1031
B-2930 Brasschaat, BE
Pelikaanstraat 126
2018 Antwerpen, BE
Eckertstraat 18F
8263 CB Kampen, NL
Korte Jansstraat 11
3512GM Utrecht, NL
Burgemeester Roëllstraat 10
1064 BM Amsterdam, Noord Holland, NL
Zwijnaardsesteenweg 75
9000 Gent, BE
Hennesweg 20
6035 AD Ospel, NL