Pass Labs pre-amplifier - Manual (Page 2)

2 X0.2 Owner’s Manual
The X0.2 is an ultra high quality three chassis line-stage audio
pre-amplifier featuring remote control and internal power supply.
It combines a completely new circuit topology with traditional
construction representing thirty five years of preamplifier design.
This pre-amplifier flows from a commitment to create the best
sounding product: a simple circuit with the most natural sonic
characteristics. Derived from US Patent # 5,376,899, the X0.2
integrates power MOSFET and JFET devices in a simple Class A
topology in order to deliver the finest sound possible.
The Super-Symmetric gain circuitry used in the X0.2 is unique in
providing superior flexibility and performance with both balanced
and unbalanced inputs and outputs, converting one to the other as
desired without extra circuitry and without performance degradation.
The X0.2 minimizes the number of components in the signal path,
and yet retains exemplary objective performance specifications. It
pushes the edge of the art in exploring how much subjective quality
is obtainable with a new but very elementary gain stage.
The X0.2 employs a patented new type of volume control that
offers significantly better performance than seen before in an
electronic control. It provides over 60 dB of range, large voltage
swing and very good measured performance. The distortion and
noise is at 1/10 and the dynamic range 100 times the previous state
of the art in active attenuation. Most importantly it is subjectively
outstanding; better than any potentiometer we have evaluated.
The fluorescent display is a very special device. Not only will you
find its blue color highly attractive and readable, it is far more reliable
than the usual LED or LCD display.
Very few people are involved in the production of this product. I
supervise all phases of the construction, and I test each pre-amplifier
myself. If you have questions, comments, or problems, please feel
free to contact me directly.
Thank you for purchasing this pre-amplifier. It is my sincere hope
that you will enjoy its sound as much as I do.
Wayne Colburn
Vice President, Design
Introduction