Opinions on the X2 rev1

[CENTRAL]

Being in the PASS area…

I guess many will have some experience on the older X2 rev1 preamp…

Is this design potent???

I have one in my system and consider selling it in favor of some tube design.

I have read a lot of great comments on the X2.5 but nearly nothing about my X2. I like the looks of it and sound-wise I can spot pluses and minuses. But my experience is limited and maybe some minuses may well be attributed to matching componets.

The issue is: should I sell it (for a low price nowdays) or am I going to make a mistake?

I know some components are made to be keepers. Is the X2 one of those, or is it time to move on?

Thank you for any input!

 

[Zen Mod]

that's really bad preamp

you can send it to nearest Authorized Facility for Safe Disposal of PL and FW Gadgets .

Package & Post - on you , of course

 

[CENTRAL]

that's really bad preamp

you can send it to nearest Authorized Facility for Safe Disposal of PL and FW Gadgets .

Package & Post - on you , of course

You sure know how to make someone's day...

 

[Zen Mod]

you better be sure to make listening test - at your home - with both tube pre candidates , you are considering to purchase .

don't be surprised if at least one of them is worse sounding than your present preamp

 

[CENTRAL]

Thanx!

I would really appreciate some hard data though. I' m so sick and tired of subjective (mostly) pointless estimations...

If something is well designed and built with good quality materials it should sound fine.

 

[Zen Mod]

do not buy if dealer is not prepared to give you unit for home test

and - trust only your own subjective estimation 😉

btw. - your PL preamp is few categories above these preamps , speaking of build quality

from short look at tube complement and short thinking about possible topologies , I'm pretty sure that X2 is also one click above them , sound wise

I can't give you some hard data on this .......... just speaking from my experience in building and listening , both PL-like ones , and some tube ones

 

[CENTRAL]

So keep it and spend the money on smth else?

[Beer maybe...]

 

[Zen Mod]

dunno what you're going to do with your money

I'm just saying - don't change just because of change ...... or middle age crisis

 

[qusp]

dont mistake ZM's first post for anything but deep deep sarcasm..... i think you would have to spend serious money to do better, it may be as you say that you just havent matched it with the right amp, or that you are inventing issues that arent there in order to justify a new toy =) been there

 

[CENTRAL]

dont mistake ZM's first post for anything but deep deep sarcasm..... i think you would have to spend serious money to do better, it may be as you say that you just havent matched it with the right amp, or that you are inventing issues that arent there in order to justify a new toy =) been there

There's a strong chance you guys being right...

Do you think a move towards the X2.5 - I can make a trade with someone - is well worth it? not too much money involved and both amplifiers are in pristine condition.

 

[CENTRAL]

dunno what you're going to do with your money

I'm just saying - don't change just because of change ...... or middle age crisis

This crisis is clearly Hi-Fi related and I've had it for a couple of decades now...

I think I know what is wrong though...

The Pass preamp is famous for its neutrality.

My power amp is also a character-less unit. (TacT (Lyngdorf) 2175).

I guess too much of a blessing becomes a curse...

Maybe I should steer my thinking in some other direction, away from the preamp...

 

[Zen Mod]

well - whatever you do , but buy wisely ;

I'm not saying - do not spend money ( it's yours , same as decision ) but - buy what's worth .

which speakers you have ?

from my experience , they're (along with room) most important link

 

[CENTRAL]

Spendors S8e.

 

[Zen Mod]

room dim's ?

after many years , exposed to sound of studio monitors , I'm leaning towards speakers with physically bigger drivers .... it's simply more fun , less HiFi

- I would be in mid-age crisis , but I really never grew up enough for that

 

[CENTRAL]

The place is a mess. It is seated in the living room and there is no specific shape to the room. Kind of rectangular but then extended by the kitchen... I know it doesn't help me, but there is no solution to this.

It's either there or in storage...

 

[Zen Mod]

whatever 😉

as I wrote previously - at least 50% of fun is in speakers

I have impression that you're looking for change , not minimalistic ( only sort of change possible , if intention is going from Pass preamp) qualitative step ;

 

[ticknpop]

You'll get more improvement changing speakers than preamps. What do you think is missing in what you hear? Then look for speakers that match your listening preferences .