Name: XP-22 Preamplifier
SKU: 248527

Product Details ＋

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 . 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 is also recommended to provide the cleanest and unbridled power to your high-end amplifier.

Features:

Class A Topology: Utilizes Pass Labs' renowned Class A topology for exceptional sound quality and low distortion.
Reference-Level Performance: Designed as a reference-level preamplifier to deliver the highest level of sonic excellence.
Symmetrical Circuitry: Ensures balanced and accurate audio reproduction, capturing the subtlest musical details.
High-Quality Components: Meticulously selected components contribute to the preamplifier's exceptional sound clarity and dynamics.
Balanced (XLR) and Single-Ended (RCA) Inputs: Offers both balanced and single-ended inputs for flexible connectivity options.
Precision Volume Control: Features precise volume control for fine adjustments to suit individual listening preferences.
Dual-Mono Construction: The XP-22 is built with dual-mono construction to eliminate crosstalk and interference between channels.
Low Noise and Distortion: Designed for minimal noise and distortion, providing a clean and accurate signal.
Advanced Power Supply: Features a robust power supply design for stable and reliable performance.
Remote Control: Includes a remote control for convenient adjustment of volume and input selection.
Musicality: Known for its musicality, the XP-22 preamplifier allows listeners to fully immerse themselves in the nuances of their favorite music.
Minimalist Design: Boasts a clean and minimalist design that reflects Pass Labs' commitment to simplicity and performance.
Balanced (XLR) and Single-Ended (RCA) Outputs: Offers both balanced and single-ended outputs for flexible system integration.
Versatile Usage: Suitable for use with a wide range of audio sources and systems, from vinyl records to digital audio.
Exceptional Transparency: Delivers exceptional transparency and clarity, allowing the listener to hear every detail in the music.

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 allows for a much more sophisticated and lower residual noise power supply.

In general, anything that reduces noise in the audio circuit uncovers more inner detail in the recordings. Audio aficionados delight in fine spatial detail in recordings, and lowering noise brings those fine spatial details into sharper relief. What we hear as a result of this more focused presentation is the aforementioned 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, which is 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

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.

What's in the Box?

XP-22 Preamplifier
Power Cable
Remote Control
Manual and Warranty

F.A.Q.

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 cr