CJ Preamp with PASS Labs amp

[Cremona]

Are CJ preamps good with Pass Lab amps?

[admin]

Yes,... I've heard demos with them in the past driving Martin Logan stats. Sounded great.

I think Pass Labs makes some of the best SS amps out there, period. If you want to go SS, you can't really go wrong with Pass Labs in my opinion.

[Big Dog RJ]

Oh hell yeah!!!

I've home trialled these three versions of Pass Labs:
XA60.8, XA100.8 and XA160.8, partnered with my CT5 preamp driving ML's CLX's. Previously owned both the ACT2 and S2, and home trials done with Pass Labs XA30.8 and XS series amplifiers driving Martin Logan hybrid stats (Summit-X and Ethos). Currently the CLX's are being driven by a full array of CJ tube amplifiers.

My next quest however is to actually get back to SS power amps, just as an alternative, since tooobs are getting bit pricey. And, so far on my short list, it's Pass Labs XA series that sits on the top, they're superb amplifiers! Without a doubt!

The Pass Labs XA60.8 monoblocks are just as good as their bigger XA160.8 monoblocks. The main differences are in power supplies and a much higher Class A bias operation. The XA200.8 are the top of the line but that kind of power is only recommended if you're considering the next mission to the moon. Those XA 200.8 monoblocks can lauch the space shuttle, no issues at all.
The XA series offers superb value as well. Nothing can really surpass a Pass, unless you're willing to spend a bloody fortune!

I also believe the MosFet Output devices match very well with CJ's tube preamps, such that it reminds me of CJ's earlier MF series amplifiers that actually used MosFets. Sadly no longer in production... but there's always Pass Labs! The XA series is the only series that gives me exactly what I'm looking for, both in terms of Class A power with finesse! Very similar to the CJ tube monoblocks I'm currently using but of course heat up more than double the temperature. It's always nice to have alternative SS amplifiers on hand, rather than burn up all those tooobs.

I'm still on this quest in finding the right type of SS amplifiers to match with my CJ tube preamps, also have a CJ tube phono-preamp. So far, Pass Labs it is, and I've auditioned different SS amps, plus numerous home trials (Vitus, Burmester, Krell, Bryston, Parasound, EC, McIntosh, Dartzeel, Bricasti, Yipsilon, Karan, Dan D's Momentums), Pass Labs holds strong at the very top, overall in sonic performance and value, not just price.
I must say though, those Dan D's Momentums are outstanding! But that's top dollar which I'm not going to engage in.

If price wasn't a concern, I'd get those Momentums without any hesitation. The only thing is the Momentum preamp costs more than the Pass Labs and Vitus put together! Sky's the limit.

Hope your quest in finding the right pre-power combination works out well.
Cheers, RJ

BTW, which Pass Labs amplifier/s do you own?

[tonye]

Well, I don't have any "Pass amps"... I'm just sitting on a bunch of clones and other designs from Pass.

Yes, the CJ preamps drive all of those amps. Note that the CJ preamps with 20 Vrms output can drive the F4, which is not really an amp but a current buffer. I have a PV9 and ET3SE, both with the Teflon tubes...

Indeed, with their high output, CJ preamps can easily drive any amp... from no gain, to low gain to high gain. Their only shortcoming, IMHO, is that they don't offer balanced outputs. Sometimes, we want that...

Also, my experience with my CJ preamps is that they're quiet. This is important... if you want a versatile active preamp you want it to be quiet and able to drive a high gain at the same time...

My amps of Nelson Pass design:

No Gain
F4 (one pair of monoblocks driven bridged with BA3, other by itself in stereo ).

Low Gain
Amp Camp ACA (v1.8)
Zenductor
Zenductor II (Zon of Zenductor)
Amp Camp Mini (tweaked)
DIY Sony VFET

Normal Gain
F5
Aleph 2 mono blocks
Aleph 5 mono block
XA25 (XA252 MOSFET)
SIT3 clone (Sissy SIT)

Plus a bunch more amps, tubes and solid state ( including a nice CJ MF2100 ).

Now, about those big PL amps... the joke is that they're there for people with money... IMHO, the XA25 is the newest generation of amps and it sounds the best.

But the SIT are actually better, but have less power.

[tonye]

Here a picture of one of my "small" setups.... that's the ET3SE driving a DIY F4 and a DIY Pass Sony VFET with no problems at all.. The black Parasound ZAmp is being used to drive a pair of small "subwoofers"

The ET3SE/F4 combo is good for just under 40wpc... into Metronome speakers with a 5" Fostex... about 97 db/watt... it's an outstanding combo as you don't "hear" the F4, just the preamp.

The VFET adds a little bit of its own sound. Quite pleasant.. class A... negative 2nd order harmonic... but the F4 is all about the CJ sound...

[Big Dog RJ]

Hey T, what are you doing with that Parasound mate???
Now that's not highend. No where in the class of CJ, although very good value for money I would say.

I've used Parasound in the past to drive Maggie's (MG3.3, MG3.5/r and the MG3.6/r). Just about ok... even had some big monoblocks driving that last pair. All that was completely changed the moment we used Krells and of course CJ, along with ARC power amplifiers. Those big ARC and VTL tube amps just took the Maggie's to another level! It wasn't even funny. Of course CJ being the preferred one when it came to a high level of musicality with finesse! Most of us preferred it that way.

Anyway, getting back to that Parasound preamp there... I guess you've got your reasons and it's doing a certain job that suits you well. Good one!
Cheers, RJ