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Anyone using this integrated? Auditioned/demo ?
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I had the Pass X150.5 amp and the Cary SLP-05 tube linestage. It was a very nice sounding setup that offered a good combination of solid-state dynamic slam and bass control along with a rich full-bodied tube sound from the Cary.
My needs changed and I wanted an integrated amp so I picked up the Pass INT-150. Unfortunately, I found it to be less dynamic than the combo above and it was a little sterile too. The INT-150 is essentially the X150.5 power amp with a passive linestage and I attribute it's less than stellar dynamics to this passive linestage section as the X150.5 had no issues with dynamics when it was driven by a good preamp.
I also had a INT-150 for a period of time. My observations closely mirror Abe's. It's a excellent unit, but, it just didn't sound all that great with my speakers. Also had a X-150 with a X2.5 preamp, which seemed to have more dynamics. My speakers are 85db/w, so they need some wattage to sound their best.
"What this country needs is a good 5 watt amplifier!" (Paul Klipsch)
Thank You! guys for chiming in on this matter.
I had the same experience with a passive linestage (creek OBH-12): damped down the dynamics somewhat compared to a quality active linestage (Transcendent Sound Ground Grid)...
Edits: 01/20/16
I'm realizing more and more that passive line stages to sound that way - sterile and cold.The Airtime theorem:
The function of the preamp is essentially to "buffer". NOW I understand what that means. Buffering through out the frequency range - not just the impedance of the source to amp interaction. But to prevent spiking frequencies that end up sounding like "sterile". Or on the opposite end - boomy bass.A good preamp HAS NO SOUND of it's own.
charles
PS - My VTA ST-70 with GL KT66/Tungsol 12AU7 and Conrad Johnson preamp is the best stereo I've EVER had. I can't say enough about it.
Edits: 01/19/16
Most preamps are doing more than acting as a buffer. They are providing voltage gain and current to the input of your amp. Most will first attenuate the source signal and then amplify with a fixed amount of gain. Ideally, they will have low impedance and robust current capability, even if this seems unnecessary on paper.
I won't say that all passive preamps are sterile and cold but I will say that they require close attention to component matching for so-called "system synergy", more so than an active preamp. Like Jack G I once owned the Placette passive linestage and it was excellent - mated to the right components.
Abe- second note;
how do I clean /maintain the finish on my Thiel speakers?
Thank You! Abe-
I wanted to inform you that I scored a pair of Thiel CS 2.4SE loudspeakers!
I don't think so.
I used a Placette passive for a few years.
It was neither cold nor sterile.
All active preamps have a sound.
jack
I don't know what came over me but yes, I was VERYYYYY wrong saying that. That came from one single experience that most likely was a result of mismatching.
Why i said that I really don't know. Considering I use my NAD C275BEE with a passive Goldpoint attenuator.
I should have said properly matched passives ARE an excellent choice. but obviously like needing a preamp - you results may vary.
Again that was a stupid thing for me to say - sorry. And I wish I has that Placette!!!!!!!
charles
I thought you had a VTA ST-70 with GL KT66/Tungsol 12AU7 and Conrad Johnson preamp.
Different system?
Jack
Sure is!!! I have two "A" systems upstairs.
System 1 - VTA ST-70 with Conrand Johnson Classic 2SE preamps
System 2 - Sherwood S-5000 fully restored my Mike Samra.
Both are amazing systems and quite different in presentation.
Both are my A systems that I interchange every 2 to 4 weeks. I like to keep things spicy!!!!
Down stair I have my workshop systems. And I do use it quite a lot.
System 1 - NAD C275BEE with passive attenutor
System 2 - Marantz PM8004 that I recapped and tweaked to my personal taste
Both are very good systems. But if I had to choose it would be the first one.
All passives have a sound, it all depends on the wire used and the potentiometers. You can get a $250 pot with resistors for each load, then some have good resistors or not so good, you can have a ALPS pot that has no resistors and you can have a $2.50 pot that's ceramic.
Each variable makes the input to output sound different. not to mention the box its in or connectors used. Then add in the selector. the variable s go on and on. its just like selecting a preamp except their is no gain.
Just my opinion and experience...
Everything has a sound, parts included, but especially both passive and active amps.
Jack
I think it may have been John Atkinson many moons ago saying that the preamp is at the heart of any system, and that besides speakers, have the most influence on a system's sound. Always made sense to me.
Joe
Yeah. Decent preamps aren't hard to find, but *excellent* one are. Not to mention expensive. That's one reason I like integrated amps.
Jack
I have the INT60. Its of the .8 generation whereas the int30/150 are from the .5 generation. Its quite nice. The 30/150 have a passive pre built in, and the 60/250 have an active pre built in.
Jack
Heard the INT30 at a friends, very sterile sounding IMO.
Ping Abe Collins
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