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Pass Labs · XP Series
$6,710
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
Wayne Colburn's single-chassis line preamplifier: the Xs Preamp's single-stage volume control, a shielded toroidal supply and five inputs, with a remote.
Single chassis. Five inputs, two outputs, balanced and single-ended. Remote supplied.
Authorized Pass Labs dealer · Delivery and installation by Pearl Audio · Trade-ins welcome
The story
The XP-12 is the entry to the Pass Labs line preamplifiers, and it borrows from the top. Its volume control is the single-stage attenuator developed for the Xs Preamp, read by a microcontroller from an optical encoder, with 100 steps of about 1 dB over a range greater than 90 dB; because it is an attenuator the signal passes at full level only at the top of its range. Gain comes from high-bias Toshiba transistors and an auto-bias output stage. The toroidal power supply is new to the XP-12, with electrostatic and Mu-metal shielding, vacuum impregnation and epoxy fill, followed by multi-stage filtering.
Pass specifies a response within ±0.05 dB from 10 Hz to 20 kHz, an output impedance of 25 Ω single-ended and 50 Ω balanced, crosstalk better than 100 dB and 9.3 dB of balanced gain. Five inputs and two outputs are both balanced and single-ended. The Absolute Sound gave the XP-12 a Golden Ear award in 2021 and an Editors' Choice in 2022, and reviewing it with the XA25 described a warm, rich, musically engaging pair. Future Audiophile called it the ultimate expression of trickle-down technology; Positive Feedback's Juan C. Ayllon uses it as his reference.
The XP-12 is the preamplifier for a single-chassis Pass system with the XA25, XA30.8 or X150.8, with the XP-17 as its phono partner. The two-chassis XP-22 separates the supply and adds a larger, higher-biased output stage.
Silver is the standard finish shown. Black is available to order at additional cost; ask us for a quote.
| Type | Line preamplifier, single chassis |
| Gain | 9.3 dB balanced |
| Inputs / outputs | 5 inputs, 2 outputs; balanced XLR and single-ended RCA |
| Volume control | Single-stage attenuator, 100 steps of about 1 dB; remote supplied |
| Frequency response | ±0.05 dB, 10 Hz – 20 kHz |
| Input impedance | 22 kΩ |
| Output impedance | 25 Ω RCA; 50 Ω XLR |
| Crosstalk | Better than 100 dB |
| Distortion | Less than 0.001% at 1 V, 1 kHz |
| Power consumption | 30 W |
| Dimensions (W × D × H) | 17 × 12 × 4 in |
| Weight | 20 lb |
The single-chassis Pass Labs line preamplifier.
The matching phono preamplifier is the Pass Labs XP-17.
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 XP-12 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.
