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Pass Labs · XP Series
$20,213
Not currently in our rooms. For a serious buyer we will often bring a piece in from the manufacturer for a private session — tell us about your system and what you are weighing it against, and we will advise.
Pass Labs · XP Series
The three-chassis reference line preamplifier: each channel in its own enclosure with its own supply, a third chassis for control and power, and residual noise of 500 nV.
Three chassis: two mono gain units plus a control and power-supply unit. Successor to the XP-30.
Authorized Pass Labs dealer · Delivery and installation by Pearl Audio · Trade-ins welcome
The story
The XP-32 replaced the XP-30 and looks almost identical from the outside; the changes are inside. Each channel's audio circuit lives in its own chassis with its own double-shielded, low-noise toroidal supply, a true dual-mono layout, and a third chassis carries the controls, the display and its own linear supply. Three independent supplies keep radiated noise away from the gain stages. Designer Wayne Colburn's changes over the XP-30, as reported in Stereophile, include a single-stage volume control with 0.5 dB steps, DC-coupled inputs with a servo, lower-noise input circuitry and a higher Class A bias with lower output impedance. The gain stages use Toshiba transistors in larger, higher-biased output stages for long and multiple cable runs.
Pass specifies 500 nV of residual noise, -150 dB referenced to maximum output, crosstalk better than 110 dB and a response within ±0.05 dB from 10 Hz to 20 kHz. Each gain channel has five numbered inputs, a home-theater input and a tape loop, all accepting XLR or RCA, with a main and a slave output in either format; the tape output is fixed at unity gain and the slave output tracks the main volume once set. Stereophile's reviewer, who usually runs digital sources straight into power amplifiers, found that the XP-32 improved the sound, and the preamplifier appeared in Stereophile's Recommended Components through 2023 and in The Absolute Sound's 2023 Buyer's Guide.
The XP-32 is the preamplifier for a Pass Labs reference system with the XA200.8, XA160.8 or X600.8 monos, and the XP-27 phono stage. Plan rack space for three full-width chassis.
Silver is the standard finish shown. Black is available to order at additional cost; ask us for a quote.
| Type | Line preamplifier, three chassis (two mono gain units, control and power supply) |
| Gain | 9.6 dB balanced (Pass Labs manual; product page states 9.3 dB) |
| Inputs / outputs | Per channel: 5 inputs, home-theater input and tape loop, XLR or RCA; main and slave outputs, XLR or RCA |
| Volume control | Single-stage attenuator, 100 dB range in 0.5 dB steps; remote supplied |
| Frequency response | ±0.05 dB, 10 Hz – 20 kHz; -2 dB at 150 kHz |
| Input impedance | 22 kΩ (manual); product page states 42 kΩ balanced |
| Output impedance | 25 Ω RCA; 50 Ω XLR |
| Crosstalk | Better than 110 dB |
| Residual noise | 500 nV RMS; -150 dB referenced to maximum output |
| Distortion | Less than 0.001% at 1 V, 1 kHz |
| Power consumption | 70 W (manual); product page states 45 W |
| Dimensions (W × D × H) | 17 × 12.5 × 4 in, each of three chassis |
| Weight | 62.5 lb total (manual); product page states 57.5 lb |
The reference Pass Labs line preamplifier below the Xs Pre.
The matching phono preamplifier is the Pass Labs XP-27.
Plan your Pass Labs system with Pearl Audio
Pearl Audio is an authorized Pass Labs dealer. Arrange an audition in our Portland showroom and we will help with loudspeaker matching, delivery and setup. Call (503) 222-2599 or email sales@pearlaudio.com.
The Pearl Audio experience
A system at this level should be heard, thoughtfully matched, and properly set up. From the first audition to long-term ownership, you work with the same people, in person.
The Pass Labs XP-32 Reference Line Preamplifier is not in our rooms at present. When it is the right piece for a client we arrange a demonstration unit from the manufacturer and set it up for a private session.
We deliver and install throughout the Portland area, taking care of placement, connections, ventilation and system configuration ourselves.
We support everything we sell for as long as you own it, whether the answer comes by phone, in your home, or through factory service.
Trade-in assistance and qualifying 100% Trade-Up options give you flexibility when your listening priorities or your system change.
