Pass Labs XP-10 User Manual

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TM

April 8, 2008

XP-10 Owner’s Manual

XP-10 Owner’s Manual

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Introduction

The XP-10 is an ultra high quality line-stage audio preamplifier
featuring remote control and internal power supply. The XP-10
minimizes the number of components in the signal path, and yet
retains exemplary objective performance specifications. It pushes
the edge of the art by exploring how much subjective quality is
obtainable with unique circuit elements applied in innovative ways.

The Pass Laboratories XP-10 along with the XP-20 pre-amplifiers

are the natural descendants to the highly acclaimed and successful X

series of Pass Laboratories line-stages represented by models X0.2,

X1 and X2.5.

The X series pre-amplifiers have received many highly respected and

well-deserved accolades over the past 11 years…. justifiably so. More

importantly they have provided a solid foundation from which the

current and newest product has evolved.

The new XP series pre-amplifiers are more true to state of the art

recordings than our previous product. Given quality recordings,

these pre-amplifiers sound more dynamic, bass lines are more clearly,

cleanly, and accurately delineated, helping eliminate un-necessary

one note bass; instruments and voice are presented in a more refined

spatial envelope, and with better spectral balance. Fine nuances and

details, which frequently go un-noticed, now become apparent --

even in loud and highly complex musical passages.

The simple truth is that a decade of knowledge and experience

gained, coupled with new component technology, has enabled both

enhanced performance and listening satisfaction over the building

blocks we had available when the original X series pre-amplifiers

came to market. Pass Laboratories has not been shy about taking

advantage of these circuit innovations and new components in these

new pre-amplifiers. You will hear, and appreciate, these significant

sonic improvements in the XP series product.

XP-10 Owner’s Manual

Collectively, audiophiles tend to listen quite a bit differently today,

than they did when the original X preamps were created, and the XP

line of product have all been designed to reflect those changes in

listening style.

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Pass Laboratories has redesigned the remote control to allow

direct access to the most frequently wanted control functions, thus

simplifying and enhancing product operation. The new remote

control codes have been carefully selected to minimize the impact

on other remote controlled electronic devices, allowing for more

carefree product placement. Volume control steps on the new pre-

amplifiers are more numerous and generally of smaller increments,

giving the listener a wider choice of listening levels to better

accommodate the wildly-fluctuating levels of current, verses legacy,

recordings.

Changing lifestyles dictate that many audiophiles now share family

space where music may be an adjunct to other activities. To better

serve the needs of these listeners, these new pre-amplifiers allow for

significantly more precise volume steps and greater attenuation at the

very lowest volume levels.

So that these very low-volume listening levels have real world

practicality, the noise floor and very fine detail retrieval of these new

pre-amplifiers is dramatically superior to our previous product.

Frequently, the perception of increased detail comes at the cost of

equally increased grain or edginess in the music. With this new pre-

amplifier, hundreds of hours of thoughtful listening and careful

adjusting have produced a product where the enhanced detail simply

comes through as greater spatial refinement and dynamic accuracy;

without any loss of musicality. Bass definition is better than in

pervious models, highly dynamic passages typically have more

weight, a more accurate leading edge with increased control and the

spectral balance is more finely integrated top to bottom.

We sincerely believe these are the finest pre-amplifiers Pass

Laboratories has built to date, without question!

XP-10 Owner’s Manual

Thank you for your purchase of the XP- 10.

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ADVISORY

There is an Extremely Small (but Non-zero) Chance That, Through
a Process Know as Tunneling, This Product May Spontaneously
Disappear from Its Present Location and Reappear at Any Random
Place within the Universe, Including Your Neighbor’s Domicile.
The Manufacturer Will Not Be Responsible for Any Damages,
Inconvenience or Mental Anguish That May Result.

There is a much higher probability that when you first plug your new
pre-amp into the wall and listen that you will not be experiencing the
full measure of performance this product is capable of. These are
high bias Class A topology circuits and their performance is largly
temperature dependendt. We expect these circuits to heat up slowly
through normal operation, do not attempt to augment that heating
by any artificial means. Temperature and performance will slowly
stabalize over the first 24 hours of operation and thereafter be at
their sonic best. Be aware however that if you unplug or otherwise
remove power from the unit that the warm up period starts afresh.

Please give this product at least 24 hours initial warm up time
before attempting any critical listening.

Like virtually all modern digital product, there is no “off ” in the
traditional sense. The XP preamps are quite “Green” a typical
current draw for this product is 10 watts; they are designed to be
powered up 100% of the time.

Set-up

So much for the philosophy, physics and advantages, lets play music.
Please read and understand the operational instructions and safety
issues associated with this product. We go through great effort to
make a soundly engineered, and supurbly performing product of
lasting duribility. We understand that things infrequently go wrong,
if you have any questions or problems please contact either your
dealer or the factory, we are here to support the product and you, the
user.

As with all audio electronics the power cable should be the last thing
attached and the first one removed any time you hook up or remove
equipment from the signal chain.

The preamplifier’s voltage and current rating are indicated by affixed
tag on the rear of the preamplifier. It will indicate either 240 volts,
220 volts, 120 volts, or 100 volts. A 0.5 amp 3AG slow blow fuse
is provided with 100-120 volt units, and a 0.25 amp slow blow fuse
is provided with 220-240 volt units. The input frequency rating of
the power supply is 50 to 60 Hz. The preamplifier typically draws

XP-10 Owner’s Manual

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