Text and photos by Juan C. Ayllon Upfront, the impressive Pass Labs X250.8 holds down amplification duties, while, on the second shelf, (right to left), there's the Pass Labs XP-17 phono stage, Lumin T2, and Ayre QB-9 Twenty; on the top shelf, the Pass Labs XP-12 preamplifier (right), shares shelf space with the VPI Prime Scout, which sits atop an isolation platform on AV RoomService Equipment Vibration Protectors. EVEN as a deep cold envelops the Chicagoland area, we are staying busy and warm, electing to remain indoors as much as possible, One of the benefits to our readers is that my review of the Pass Labs X250.8 is currently being edited and, awaiting some final comments from Nelson Pass before being released this week. The piece includes a surprisingly candid interview with him, along with a number of papers he submitted that include schematics! Honestly, I was blown away by that, as well as his comment in an email, "Great review," when he saw a draft I sent to him and his publicist. The piece will appear at Positive Feedback. The Lumin T2 Network Player arrived at the Prairie Audio Man Cave headquarters and has been breaking in for the last four weeks or so and was used in the official listening session in my X250.8 review. The U.S. importer suggested that it should still improve some 30 percent in another handful of weeks playback time. We will see about that, as it's sounding quite amazing so far! A review of the T2 should be forthcoming in March. Produced by Pixel Magic Ltd., this Lumin Music network streamer is a redesign of their highly popular A1 and T1 models, and in using some of the technology of their flagship X1, at $4,500 it is considered by many to be the sweet spot of their product line. In addition to the these two, a review of the Ayre QB -9 with the Twenty upgrade should also be coming out in March or April. A review sample has been here for nearly a week and is sounding pretty good, as well.
Also in the pipeline are upcoming reviews of the Pass Labs XP-12 preamplifier, XP-17 phono stage, and when it comes to replace the X250.8, the Pass Labs X150.8 amplifier. Stay tuned and stay warm!
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