Pass X1 preamp question

Sonically, I think the X2.5 and the X-1 are outstanding pre-amps at least with my line conditioners attached to them.

What I do not care for is their somewhat crude remote control interface and the lack of incremental attenuation for fine-tuning volume levels.

But still outstanding products and company.

-IMO

Steno, How do you find the Pass preamps compare with the Chapter. I see you use or used one in your system. Personally I think the X1 sounds quite good but I'm curious about the Chapter for curiousities sake.

They are near identical in sonics. However, I enjoy the egonomics, the lights, and the overall visual appeal of the Chapter quite a bit more. It is one cool looking component.

But I certainly do not want to take anything away from the performance and simplicity in design of the X2.5 and X1 preamps.

-IMO

I have no experience with the X1 Preamp, but as a long-time ham radio operator and having built some clocks and digital displays, and working a lot with computers (display drivers are basically a small compter of sorts), I would suggest that in a less than perfect design the digital display drivers could generate noise or "hash" that could get into the D and A circuits at some point. There are also small caps around the chip or chips that make up the display driver hardware that could be missing (factory defect) or have failed and now be letting some noise out that otherwise wouldn't be a problem.

Hence I'm not surprised that you are hearing the display in the preamp output. If you can live without the display while doing serious listening, I would turn it off.

Hclarkx

The difference I may be hearing with the display off may warrant it being dimmed off if doing some extremely careful critical listening.
I still say there is a difference psychoachioustical or not. I notice a slight touch of noise dissappear like just the very edge of a snap of a cymbol. With the disply on the snap has more bite but with the disply off it is a tad more natural. That being said, it wouldn't be the first time my mind played tricks on me, but I know what I hear.
The difference isn't worthy of switching the display on and off.
I leave it on to see the volume and know which function I'm on. I love my X1.