I'm in for a pair, if they are as good as you guys say I'll search for more.

What are users of this phono stage using...XLR or RCA outs ?

I prefer the XLR, more dynamic, slightly quieter and more gain. Tonal balance and resolution are the same and typically XLR cable is not much more money than RCA termination.

albertporter June 29, 2015 00:04

03-06-14: Rockitman
These may be a game changer. First listening session very positive. The bass & midrange seem much stronger, more slam, bolder than any GZ34 I have tried. It almost sounds like I added a well integrated sub. Get them while there hot.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Telefunken-GZ32-5V4G-CV593-NOS-late-60ies-super-rare-German-Navy-tubes-/201041212057?pt=Vintage_Electronics_R2&hash=item2ecefd7299

I ordered 2 from your comments and I have to agree with your experience including transparency, extension ... TS NOS 5U4GB WAS my favorite but Tele is amazing. I ordered 4 more plus Thorsten is a great guy to deal with.

knghifi June 28, 2015 04:20

Allnic H5000 DHT phono output connection. What are users of this phono stage using...XLR or RCA outs ? I think XLR is transformer coupled since there is a switch that must be turned on for XLR as the unit is single ended design. I have been using XLR in the past and just tried singled ended rca outs. I think I like the sound better. Arnie, Albert...what do you guys use ?

rockitman May 29, 2015 20:20

Simply outstanding and impressive system and room!

zephyr24069 April 04, 2015 11:07

Hard to explain in words, but it does everything the xp30 does but better.....of course diminishing returns kick in at this level. I am happy with the upgrade and it was worth the higher price of admission....to me anyway. I think there are added synergies using the xs pre with xs amps. Think more refined and extended over the xp30 which is still a fantastic preamp.

rockitman April 02, 2015 20:02

Now that you had enough time with the Pass Xs preamp, how does it compare with the XP-30?

Thanks.

vn101606 March 31, 2015 22:58

Now that you had enough time with the Pass Xs preamp, how does it compare with the XP-30?

Thanks.

vn101606 March 31, 2015 22:57

Rockit, you have cobbled together a beautiful system particularly the front end. Let us know your findings with the grounding games. Can you stratify the degree of response in your different components? My own experiments with far cheesier gear has shown grounding to impart a more "analog" presentation. Amazing for what most philes view as ancillary and woo-woo pseudo-technology.

Does the tape deck respond at all? What is your source of choice?

agear December 15, 2014 18:52

Knghifi... I think you will be very pleased. If you like large orchestral stuff from RCA Living Stereo or Mercury, you will be blown away. That genre really shines with this grounding stuff.

rockitman November 22, 2014 03:25

Rockitman, I'm going to contact my dealer and get a Silver Tellus with different cables to demo in my system.

knghifi November 21, 2014 14:33

Knghifi,

Don't think of it as a waste. During my short 5 hour demo I used two Apollo cables and two Atlantis "silver cables". In my system, the Atlantis sounded considerably better for reasons I don't understand. The Apollo cables are also silver. The Atlantis cables have two spade cable branches vs only one for the Apollo. I suspect 2 branches has more capacity to drain away ground plane grunge.

rockitman November 21, 2014 03:14

Rockitman, did you get the copper or silver Atlantis eartha cables? Done with system changes so grounding is probably next area to waste more $$.

knghifi November 20, 2014 18:57

So I finally drank the "Clean up your ground" kool-aid. I am glad I did. Here are some obsevations I posted in another forum.

72 Hour Entreq Observations:
1) dramatically reduced system noise floor.
2) Music erupts from the absolute black abyss...very noticeable and welcome.
3) Challenging leading edge transients never go over the edge... sibilance and any remnants of glare from aggressive, large orchestral passages seemingly disappear.
4) Music is clearer, less distorted and I didn't think I had any distortion. It just sounds more real and less recorded.
5) Perceived depth and width of the sound field is also significantly enhanced. Music blooms w/o borders/restrictions and each instrumental, percussive and vocal element space is better defined.
6) Recorded ambience and note decay is more realistic.

The setup as mentioned before are two Silver Tellus boxes and 6 Atlantis eartha rca to spade cables. Two cables (L&R) for phono input, two cables (L&R) for main preamp input and two cables with separate Tellus box for power amp inputs..rca. I also have noticed that any other source device plugged into the main pre benefits...along with digital sources. That is it for now. I would like to thank again Bill Demars from Beauty of Sound for getting this stuff in to try.

rockitman November 19, 2014 18:22

I still have it. My Pass XP-30 sounds better though. I did really like the 380's volume control.

rockitman November 19, 2014 18:20

11-14-14: Maplegrovemusic
How much improvement do you hear with the skyline diffusors ? I am thinking about adding diffusion to my room . And what is the fire extinguisher for ?

They add dramatically to the perceived depth and width of the sound stage with minimal absorption. They made a big difference in my room. The fire extinguisher is there in case something wanted to start on fire. Not really worried too much about it..lol

rockitman November 19, 2014 18:18

11-14-14: Boonetrc
Really nice looking set up! On your UHA Tascam, does it have record heads, or just playback? Thinking of sending my BR-20T to them for some UHA upgrades. Cheers.

My record and erase heads are disconnected and only used as tape guides. If you go for the hot-rodded playback model only, performance is enhanced according to Greg Beron at UHA

rockitman November 19, 2014 18:15

How much improvement do you hear with the skyline diffusors ? I am thinking about adding diffusion to my room . And what is the fire extinguisher for ?

maplegrovemusic November 15, 2014 02:53

Regarding your UHA Tascam, do you have any further comments about the sound in comparison to your other RTRs?

kmccarty November 14, 2014 23:34

Do you ever miss the 380S ?

exron November 14, 2014 20:43

Really nice looking set up! On your UHA Tascam, does it have record heads, or just playback? Thinking of sending my BR-20T to them for some UHA upgrades. Cheers.

boonetrc November 14, 2014 19:40

Unbelievable really glad you posted. Enjoy

needfreestuff October 14, 2014 17:22

I think the bias level is fixed, regardless of where the needle lies on the meter. All the meter does is indicate if and when the amp goes out of Class A, i.e.. if the needle moves at all while music is playing, then you are switching out of Class A.

It just looks better if the needle is in the center at idle.

peterayer September 22, 2014 10:55

Yes, the M is for meter centring, the L is lumination. The background white LED can be dimmed to your preference. You just need a small flat screwdriver to adjust them. The blue LED is not affected.

So you adjust the meter anytime. This makes me doubt the usefulness of the meter in showing the real brias level.

tli September 21, 2014 23:54

That is interesting, you can adjust meter zero point and illumination ? Are the screw access holes labeled M and L ? The blue led and meter white light can be dimmed ? thanks in advance.

rockitman September 21, 2014 19:29

Thanks Christian,

I have sent an email with some photos taken on both meters to Passlabs, Mr Kent English from worldwide technical support said it would be due to difference in cooling in different part of the room. He asked me to adjust the meter centering using a small screwdrawer through a opening at the rear. The left opening adjusts the centering and the right opening adjusts the meter lumination. Now both needles are right at the center and the LED is dimmed. Let's run they for a while to see anything happens.

tli September 19, 2014 14:24