Pass Labs
XP-17 Preamplifier
$4,500.00 USDFeatures
Balanced (XLR) and Single-Ended (RCA) Inputs: Offers both balanced and single-ended inputs for flexible connectivity options.
Precision Volume Control: Features a precision volume control for fine adjustments to suit individual listening preferences.
Low-Noise Circuitry: Incorporates low-noise circuitry for optimal signal integrity and transparency.
Premium Components: Meticulously selected premium components contribute to the preamplifier's exceptional sound clarity and dynamics.
High-Performance Power Supply: Features a high-performance power supply design for stable and reliable performance.
Balanced (XLR) and Single-Ended (RCA) Outputs: Provides both balanced and single-ended outputs for versatile system integration.
Selectable Gain: Offers selectable gain settings to accommodate a wide range of input sources and amplifier configurations.
Compact and Elegant Design: Housed in a sleek and elegant chassis, the XP-17 exudes sophistication and style.
Reliable Performance: The XP-17 preamplifier is designed for reliability and long-term performance, requiring minimal adjustments.
Musicality: Known for its musicality, the XP-17 preamplifier allows listeners to fully immerse themselves in the nuances of their favorite music.
Exceptional Transparency: Delivers exceptional transparency and clarity, allowing the listener to hear every detail in the music.
Enhanced Signal Handling: The XP-17 is designed to handle a wide range of signals with ease, providing a clean and accurate signal path.
Versatile Usage: Suitable for use with a wide range of audio sources and systems, from vinyl records to digital audio.
Upgradeability: The XP-17 is upgradeable, allowing users to customize and improve their system over time.
What's in the Box?
Warranty
The Pass Labs XP-17 Preamplifier is a sophisticated audio component designed to elevate your listening experience to new heights. The XP-17 is a reference-level preamplifier that embodies the renowned Pass Labs sound signature, delivering exceptional clarity, detail, and musicality. Featuring a discrete Class A design, the XP-17 offers a wide range of features to enhance your audio setup. With its balanced (XLR) and single-ended (RCA) inputs, precision volume control, and low-noise circuitry, this preamplifier ensures optimal signal integrity and transparency. Meticulously crafted with premium components and housed in a sleek and elegant chassis, the Pass Labs XP-17 is the epitome of audio refinement, offering audiophiles and music enthusiasts a truly immersive listening experience.
Dragon Cable Recommendation: If you are connecting your XP-17 to an XA-series Pass Labs amp, then we recommend pairing the XP-17 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.
Features:
- Discrete Class A Design: Utilizes a discrete Class A design for exceptional sound quality and low distortion.
- Balanced (XLR) and Single-Ended (RCA) Inputs: Offers both balanced and single-ended inputs for flexible connectivity options.
- Precision Volume Control: Features a precision volume control for fine adjustments to suit individual listening preferences.
- Low-Noise Circuitry: Incorporates low-noise circuitry for optimal signal integrity and transparency.
- Premium Components: Meticulously selected premium components contribute to the preamplifier's exceptional sound clarity and dynamics.
- High-Performance Power Supply: Features a high-performance power supply design for stable and reliable performance.
- Balanced (XLR) and Single-Ended (RCA) Outputs: Provides both balanced and single-ended outputs for versatile system integration.
- Selectable Gain: Offers selectable gain settings to accommodate a wide range of input sources and amplifier configurations.
- Compact and Elegant Design: Housed in a sleek and elegant chassis, the XP-17 exudes sophistication and style.
- Reliable Performance: The XP-17 preamplifier is designed for reliability and long-term performance, requiring minimal adjustments.
- Musicality: Known for its musicality, the XP-17 preamplifier allows listeners to fully immerse themselves in the nuances of their favorite music.
- Exceptional Transparency: Delivers exceptional transparency and clarity, allowing the listener to hear every detail in the music.
- Enhanced Signal Handling: The XP-17 is designed to handle a wide range of signals with ease, providing a clean and accurate signal path.
- Versatile Usage: Suitable for use with a wide range of audio sources and systems, from vinyl records to digital audio.
- Upgradeability: The XP-17 is upgradeable, allowing users to customize and improve their system over time.
The Pass Labs XP17 phono preamplifier represents a significant evolution in vinyl reproduction technology, building upon the company's rich legacy while introducing cutting-edge innovations. This meticulously crafted component is designed to extract every nuance from your cherished vinyl collection, offering a listening experience that is both deeply engaging and remarkably true to the original recording.
At the heart of the XP17's exceptional performance lies its power supply, a critical component in any high-end audio device. Borrowing from its sibling, the XP-12, the XP17 utilizes a new-shielded low noise toroidal transformer. This specially designed transformer, combined with an advanced input filter module, forms the foundation for the XP17's incredibly low noise floor. Pass Labs has taken this a step further by implementing an additional stage of RC (Resistor-Capacitor) filtering in the power supply. This multi-stage approach to power purification results in dramatically reduced radiated and mechanical noise, creating an ultra-quiet backdrop from which the music can emerge with startling clarity.
The input circuit of the XP17 is a ground-up redesign, showcasing Pass Labs' commitment to continuous improvement. This new symmetrical configuration achieves lower noise and distortion levels while simultaneously offering greater drive capability. In the realm of phono preamplification, where the incoming signals are exceptionally low, noise reduction is paramount. By significantly lowering the noise floor, the XP17 allows for improved resolution and dynamics. This translates to a more detailed and lifelike presentation, where even the subtlest musical cues are rendered with precision and naturalism. One of the XP17's most notable features is its split EQ (equalization) network, a design philosophy shared with Pass Labs' flagship models, the XP 25 and XS Phono. This approach to RIAA equalization offers two key advantages. First, it provides greater accuracy in the equalization curve, ensuring that the frequency response of your vinyl playback closely mirrors the original recording. Second, the split network design allows for handling higher signal levels without overload, preserving dynamics and preventing distortion during complex musical passages or on heavily modulated records. The secondary stage of the XP17 showcases Pass Labs' attention to detail in circuit design. It employs a higher bias output stage with automatic biasing. This configuration ensures optimal operating conditions regardless of signal level or ambient temperature, contributing to the XP17's consistent performance and long-term reliability.
Flexibility is a key attribute of the XP17, carried over from its predecessor, the XP-15. The numerous loading options remain available, allowing users to fine-tune the input impedance to perfectly match their chosen phono cartridge. This level of customization ensures that you can extract the best possible performance from your entire vinyl playback chain. Additionally, the XP17 offers three gain settings, accommodating everything from low-output moving coil (MC) cartridges to higher output moving magnet (MM) designs. This versatility makes the XP17 a future-proof investment, capable of adapting to changes in your system or cartridge preferences. In practice, the XP17 delivers a listening experience that is nothing short of revelatory. Its ultra-low noise floor allows for the emergence of micro-details and ambient cues that might otherwise be lost, contributing to a heightened sense of realism and presence. The accurate RIAA equalization ensures tonal balance that is true to the original recording, neither adding nor subtracting from the artist's intent.
Bass reproduction through the XP17 is particularly noteworthy. Low frequencies are presented with authority and definition, providing a solid foundation for the rest of the musical spectrum. The midrange, crucial for the reproduction of voices and many instruments, is rendered with exceptional clarity and natural warmth. High frequencies sparkle with air and extension, free from any hint of harshness or artificial emphasis. Perhaps most impressive is the XP17's ability to convey the emotional content of music. It has an uncanny knack for capturing the subtle inflections in a vocalist's performance, the dynamic interplay between musicians, and the overall mood of a recording. This emotional connection to the music is what transforms mere listening into a profoundly moving experience.
For vinyl enthusiasts seeking the ultimate in analog playback, the Pass Labs XP17 phono preamplifier represents a significant step forward. It combines technical excellence with musical soul, inviting listeners to rediscover their record collections with fresh ears and a renewed sense of wonder. Whether you're exploring the delicate nuances of a classical recording or reveling in the raw energy of a live rock album, the XP17 delivers every detail with precision, clarity, and an overarching sense of musical rightness. It's not just a component; it's a gateway to a deeper, more intimate connection with your cherished vinyl recordings.
Pass Labs and First Watt
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, USA. Some of Pass Lab’s most notable products include the HPA-1 Headphone Amplifier, their integrated amp series (featuring the Pass Labs INT-25, Pass Labs INT-60, and the Pass Labs INT-250), the Pass Labs XA25, and more. If you’re looking for a monoblock amplifier, stereo amplifier, integrated amplifier, or headphone amplifier, then Pass Labs has everything you need for your high-end audio. Visit passlabs.com for more info.
FAQ
What are the key features of the Pass Labs XP-17 Phono Preamplifier?
The Pass Labs XP-17 is a high-performance phono preamplifier designed for vinyl enthusiasts. It features a fully balanced, dual-mono design for exceptional channel separation and noise rejection. The XP-17 offers a wide range of loading options, including resistance and capacitance settings, allowing users to fine-tune the preamp to match their specific cartridge requirements. It also includes a low-noise, discrete JFET input stage and a passive RIAA equalization network for accurate and detailed sound reproduction.
Does the Pass Labs XP-17 support both moving magnet (MM) and moving coil (MC) cartridges?
Yes, the Pass Labs XP-17 is a versatile phono preamplifier that supports both moving magnet (MM) and moving coil (MC) cartridges. It offers selectable gain settings to accommodate a wide range of cartridge outputs. For MM cartridges, the XP-17 provides 40dB of gain, while for MC cartridges, it offers 60dB of gain. This flexibility allows users to use their preferred cartridge type without needing an additional external step-up transformer.
What kind of power supply does the Pass Labs XP-17 utilize?
The Pass Labs XP-17 features a sophisticated, high-quality power supply design to ensure clean and stable voltage for optimal performance. It employs a custom toroidal power transformer with multiple stages of regulation. This design minimizes noise and interference, resulting in a low-noise floor and excellent dynamic range. The power supply is an integral part of the XP-17's design, contributing to its ability to deliver transparent and detailed sound reproduction.
Can the Pass Labs XP-17 be used with both balanced and single-ended connections?
Yes, the Pass Labs XP-17 offers both balanced (XLR) and single-ended (RCA) output connections, providing flexibility for different system configurations. Users can choose between the XLR and RCA outputs based on their preference and the rest of their audio system. The balanced outputs are especially beneficial for long cable runs, as they offer better noise rejection and signal integrity. This dual output capability ensures compatibility with a wide range of amplifiers and systems.
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 a 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 cascaded 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.
Specifications
- Gain Options
- 56, 66, 76dB
- Inputs
- 1
- RIAA response
- plus/minus .1 dB 20-20 KHz
- Power consumption
- 40 watts
- Number of chassis
- 1
- Dimensions, each chassis
- 17”W x 12”D x 4”H
- Weight
- 19lbs