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Pass Labs XP-22 Preamplifier
Pass Labs XP-22 Preamplifier Back
Incredibly quiet and accurate preamp with a neutral, musical sound. More details
Pass Labs XP-22 Preamplifier
Pass Labs XP-22 Preamplifier Back
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The Pass Labs XP-22 preamplifier is a masterpiece of audio engineering that sets a new standard for sonic excellence. The XP-22 is a reference-level preamplifier designed to elevate your listening experience to unparalleled heights. Featuring Pass Labs' renowned Class A topology, this preamplifier delivers exceptional clarity, dynamics, and musicality. Its symmetrical circuitry and high-quality components ensure precise and transparent audio reproduction, revealing the finest nuances in your music. Equipped with balanced (XLR) and single-ended (RCA) inputs, precision volume control, and a minimalist, elegant design, the Pass Labs XP-22 is the ultimate expression of audio refinement for the most discerning audiophiles.
Dragon Cable Recommendation: If you are connecting your XP-22 to an XA-series Pass Labs amp, then we recommend pairing the XP-22 preamplifier with our award-winning Silver Dragon Interconnects. The Silver Dragon Interconnect is one of our best-selling cables at Moon Audio. Sold in Pairs, it is our top-of-the-line silver conductor-based interconnect. With a braided geometry and amazing shielding, this interconnect is a remarkable solution where noise isolation is key. The Black Dragon Power Cable is also recommended to provide the cleanest and unbridled power to your high-end amplifier.
The Pass Labs XP-22 preamplifier is packed with features that exemplify its commitment to audio excellence:
The XP-22 builds upon the XP-12 by moving the high noise components (power supply) out of and away from the noise sensitive gain channels and signal path. The second chassis allowing for a much more sophisticated and lower residual noise power supply.
In general, anything that reduces noise in audio circuit, uncovers more inner detail in the recordings. Audio aficionados delight in fine spatial detail in recordings, lowering noise brings those fine spatial details into sharper relief. What we hear as a result of this more focused presentation is the afore mentioned greater sense of space in recordings, but also better delineation of nuances imparted by the performer.
The newly designed Pass Labs XP-22 preamplifier incorporates several key enhancements to elevate its performance to a new level of sonic excellence. Utilizing double-shielded low-noise toroidal transformers in an external supply, connected via aviation-grade circular connectors using silver over oxygen-free copper, the XP-22 ensures exceptional power delivery and minimized interference. The dual-mono power supply configuration, featuring two transformers, significantly reduces radiated and mechanical noise, crucial for achieving lower THD+N levels. By prioritizing noise reduction, the XP-22 enhances resolution and dynamics, especially at low levels where noise is most noticeable.
Additionally, the larger output stage of the XP-22 enables easier and more efficient driving of longer cable runs, while also simplifying the single-ended output circuitry. This design choice not only improves performance but also ensures a more seamless integration into a variety of audio systems. The volume control has been upgraded to a single stage, providing increased range, reduced noise, and enhanced accuracy. Borrowed from the acclaimed XP-30 preamplifier, this volume control enhances the user experience by offering precise and quiet adjustments.
The result is a preamplifier that serves as a quieter, more neutral, and highly musical control center for your entire audio system. The Pass Labs XP-22 excels not only in its remarkable measurements but truly stands out sonically, delivering an immersive and engaging listening experience that reveals the finest details in your music collection.
Pass Labs and First Watt were founded by hi-fi legend Nelson Pass. After co-founding and later selling Threshold Audio, Pass began working out of his Auburn, California, home in the early 1990s to develop prototypes of single-ended Class A amplifier designs under the name Pass Labs. Pass Labs quickly became known for its commercially produced Aleph, X, and XA Series amps, and preamps. Pass later started First Watt as a passion project focusing on low-power amps for a niche audiophile audience. Today, Pass splits his time between the two companies, with production happening in Pass Labs' facility in Foresthill, California.
What are the main differences between the Pass Labs XP-22 and its predecessor, the XP-20?
The Pass Labs XP-22 improves upon the XP-20 in several key areas. One significant upgrade is the implementation of a new input circuit topology, resulting in improved transparency and detail retrieval. The XP-22 also features a revised volume control system for smoother and more precise volume adjustments. Additionally, it includes upgraded components for enhanced performance, such as improved power supply filtering and refined signal path design. Overall, the XP-22 offers a more refined and revealing sound compared to its predecessor.
Does the Pass Labs XP-22 offer balanced and single-ended inputs?
Yes, the Pass Labs XP-22 provides both balanced (XLR) and single-ended (RCA) inputs, offering flexibility for connecting a variety of audio sources. The balanced inputs are ideal for maintaining signal integrity and noise rejection in systems with balanced components. The XP-22's dual input options cater to different preferences and system configurations, ensuring compatibility with a wide range of sources and amplifiers.
What type of volume control does the Pass Labs XP-22 use?
The Pass Labs XP-22 features a precision-stepped relay volume control, which offers accurate and repeatable volume adjustments. This volume control design ensures channel balance and tracking accuracy, maintaining the integrity of the audio signal. The use of a stepped attenuator allows users to make precise volume changes with confidence, knowing that each step provides consistent and reliable results.
Can the Pass Labs XP-22 be used in a home theater system setup?
Yes, the Pass Labs XP-22 includes a home theater bypass mode, making it suitable for integration into a home theater system. When the bypass mode is activated, the XP-22 bypasses its internal volume control and processing circuitry, allowing seamless integration with a home theater processor or receiver. This feature enables users to enjoy the XP-22's high-quality audio performance for two-channel listening while easily switching to a home theater setup for multi-channel audio or movies.
Who is Nelson Pass?
Nelson Pass, the man behind Pass Labs and First Watt, has been designing and building amplifiers for decades. His early passion, however, was speakers; at age 14, he started assembling loudspeakers. As a college student studying physics at the University of California-Davis, he co-founded a speaker company called PMA. He also worked for ESS, where he designed crossovers and enclosures. After college, with his interest having shifted toward amplifiers, Pass co-founded Threshold Electronics (now Threshold Audio). His achievements during the Threshold years include developing the first dynamically biased Class A amplifier circuit; developing a fully cascode audio power amplifier; and developing the STASIS stereo preamplifier and power amplifier. During the 1980s, Pass designed the Adcom GFA-555 amplifier. Later, after selling Threshold, he started Pass Labs in 1991 and First Watt in 1997. Pass holds several patents related to audio circuits.
How did Pass Labs make its name?
Pass Labs helped popularize solid-state, Class A power amplifiers. Pass Labs' first product, the Aleph 0 amplifier, operated as single-ended Class A up to its 70 watt rating and in push pull Class A at higher wattage. The Aleph series of amplifiers, some of the first solid-state amps that were said to be "tube-like" in sound, operated pure class A and contained internal circuitry using MOSFETs. The Aleph amplifiers had a unique appearance, a cube with heat sinks on all four sides, a solution to the heat generated by the class-A design. This can be attributed primarily to the specific MOSFETs used and the minimum number of gain stages that were implemented in the design. Pass Labs also developed the Super-Symmetry™ ("Su-Sy") circuit, which achieves exceptionally low distortion and noise levels. In 1998, Pass Labs released the X1000, the first amplifier using the patented SuperSymmetric™ topology. The X1000 achieved 1000 watts with high performance, local feedback and only two gain stages: a cascoded differential pair of transistors and a large bank of complementary output followers. This groundbreaking design informed all subsequent Pass Labs amplifiers.
What else does Pass Labs make?
In 2002, Pass Labs unveiled the first XA amplifiers, combining the X and Aleph topologies into balanced single-ended Class A amplifiers with many of the characteristics of both the X and Aleph series. The current Pass Labs lineup includes Class A amps (XA and Xs Series), Class AB amps (.8 Series), line preamps (Xs and XP Series), phono preamps (Xs and XP Series), integrated amps (INT Series), and one headphone amp.
What is the relationship between Pass Labs and First Watt?
When he started Pass Labs, Pass did everything out of his home. In 1997, having outgrown the space, Pass Labs moved into commercial space in Foresthill, California. When Pass started First Watt, it was a "kitchen table" venture, with work once again happening in his home. In 2016, with production demands not leaving him enough time to pursue the vast array of yet-to-be-designed amps, Nelson handed the business end of First Watt over to Pass Labs. Pass Labs took over the building of First Watt amplifiers as well as marketing and distribution. There's a synergy between the two operations, in that Pass Labs gets to gather up some of the more interesting First Watt finds and repurpose them as more commercially viable designs. Today, Pass splits his time between First Watt and Pass Laboratories.
| Overall Gain | 9.3dB Balanced |
|---|---|
| Remote | yes |
| Inputs | 5 |
| Outputs | 2 |
| Input Impedance | 22K Ohms |
| Power Consumption | 40 watts |
| Number of chassis | 2 |
| Dimensions, Each Chassis | 17”W x 12”D x 4”H |
| Weight (LBS) | 40 |
