Pass Labs Stereo Amplifier X22 User Manual

passTM  
X2.2 Owner’s Manual  
Aug 10, 2006  
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The preamplifier has four sets of input connections, both single-  
ended and balanced output connections, and a separate tape loop.  
Setup  
The preamplifier’s voltage and current rating are indicated by affixed  
tag on the bottom of the preamplifier. It will indicate either 240  
volts, 220 volts, 120 volts, or 100 volts. A 0.5 amp 3AG slow blow  
fuse is provided with 100-120 volt units, and a 0.25 amp slow blow  
fuse is provided with 220-240 volt units. The frequency rating of the  
power supply is 50 to 60 Hz in all cases. The preamplifier typically  
draws less than 30 watts during operation. Please verify that the  
indicated voltage requirement of this preamplifier is consistent with  
the voltage at your location.  
We have provided a standard IEC AC power cord that fits into the  
IEC line receptacle at the rear of the preamplifier chassis. The  
preamplifier is equipped for operation with an earth ground provided  
by the user’s AC outlet. Do not defeat this ground. The circuit  
ground of the preamplifier is connected to earth and power ground  
through a power thermistor, which gives a ground connection for  
safety but helps avoid ground loops.  
There are a total of four inputs and a separate tape loop. Two of  
the four inputs can be used single-ended or balanced. The other two  
inputs are single-ended only. The tape loop has both single-ended  
and balanced inputs and outputs. Balanced inputs and outputs are  
via XLR connectors. Single-ended inputs and outputs are via RCA  
connectors. On the XLR connectors, pin 1 is grounded, pin 2 is the  
positive signal, and pin 3 is the negative signal. Left channel RCA  
connectors are marked with “L” from below. Right channel RCA  
connectors are marked with “R” from below. Balanced XLR inputs  
and outputs are marked with “L” for left and “R” for right channel.  
If your signal source is unbalanced, input will occur through the  
RCA input connector, which is in parallel with the XLR connections  
1 and 2. When single-ended inputs are used on input 1 and input  
2, a shorting plug is provided between pins 1 and 3 of the XLR  
connection, shorting the negative input to ground, and providing  
optimal performance.  
The unbalanced input impedance of the preamplifier is 33 kOhms.  
In balanced mode, the input impedance is higher, with a differential  
impedance of at least 66k Ohms.  
Next to the inputs on the rear panel, the preamplifier offers tape  
inputs through both XLR and RCA connectors. This output is a  
direct connection to inputs 1, 2, 3, and 4 when they are selected from  
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the front panel. Input 5 (TAPE IN) is deliberately not available  
through the tape output connection. The tape input is designated  
for use with a tape recorder if you have one, and we have arranged  
that it will not place its output on the tape out, which will prevent  
you from accidentally creating a feedback connection with your tape  
machine.  
The main outputs are located at the left-hand side (viewed from the  
rear) of the rear panel, two male XLR connectors, and two RCA  
connectors, “R” (right) and “L” (left). The RCA connectors’ ground  
is in parallel with pin 1 of the XLR outputs and the RCA hot is fed  
from an independent summing junction that maximizes the X circuit  
benefits. The RCA, single-ended outputs are buffered from the balanced  
outputs. You may use both the single ended and balanced outputs at the  
same time. On the XLR, pin 1 is ground, pin 2 is positive, and pin 3 is  
negative.  
The rear 5-way binding post can be used to turn on any X series  
power amplifier.  
Description of Operation  
In application the X2.2’s front panel controls and simple LED  
displays are quite straight forward, and intuitive. We encourage you  
to become familiar with their operation prior to establishing any  
input connections with this unit. Experience indicates that engaging  
in a few minutes of exploration and playtime will add much to your  
ultimate enjoyment of this exceptional Pass Labs product.  
The front panel of the X2.2 has all its control functions moderated  
by five momentary pushbuttons. From left to right these buttons are  
labeled input, tape, volume (down), volume (up) and mute.  
The input button has four associated blue LED’s located directly  
above the input switch. When the uppermost blue LED is lit it  
indicates that you have selected input number 1. With an additional  
push of the input selector button the second uppermost LED will  
be on, indicating you have selected input number 2. So it goes, the  
same pattern follows with input 3 and 4. An additional push of  
the input selection button when you are on input 4 will cycle the  
preamplifier back to input 1.  
The second button from the left controls the tape loop, a blue LED  
directly above this switch indicating the status of this particular  
function. When the tape loop is active, this LED will be lit.  
Immediately to the right of the tape loop control are the two volume  
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control buttons, indicated by up arrows (^) and down (v) arrows.  
Above the volume controls are two vertical arrays of 4 LEDs each.  
This indicator is likely different from what you are accustomed to.  
We think you will appreciate how easy it is to read from a distance.  
The left most LED array is decade and the right most array is range.  
Associated with the volume control is one additional light and a  
function control button labeled as “MUTE”. In the very lowest  
volume setting there will be no output and the “Mute” indicator  
light will be lit. Immediately to the left of the lit “MUTE” indicator  
the lowermost LED in the range column will also be lit. None of  
the decade LED’s will be lit, at this time. As you step the volume  
upward using the up (^) button additional LED’s in the range column  
will light and the mute LED will extinguish. When you reach the top  
of the range, the first decade LED will become illuminated, and the  
range LED will drop back to its lowest indicated setting. And so it  
goes; think of this as a counting system in base 5.  
Activating “MUTE” while at any volume level does not lose the  
chosen volume setting. When deactivating mute the X2.2 will be  
returned to the last stored volume level.  
Should you wish to upgrade the 2.2’s status to a full function remote  
control preamplifier, this may be acomplished at the factory. With  
additional circuitry and new front panel the X2.2 may be turned  
into an X2.5 This upgrade adds an informative vacuum fluorescent  
display, balance control, display brightness, mono, unity function,  
gain setting and remote control capability.  
A rear mounted pair of five-way binding posts are intended to  
control the on/off function of our own X series power amplifiers  
from the X2.2 front panel. This function is activated through  
software by simultaneously pushing the extreme left control button  
(INPUT) and the extreme right (MUTE) control button. When  
the preamp mode Amp” is selected it allows the user to switch  
a nominal 12 volts DC at maximum draw of 50 milliamps to the  
rear panel red and black five-way binding posts. In some instances  
this voltage may have the ability to control products from other  
manufacturers, but we by no means have comprehensive listing of  
their compatible features. If you have questions about compatibility  
your service technician and dealer are an excellent source of  
information. For connection to other Pass Labs products please  
consult the owner’s manual for specific instructions.  
The electronic volume control allows approximately 60 dB range. In  
this manner tracking of the volume of the two balanced channels is  
possible with accuracy unavailable on any ordinary volume control,  
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assuring precise level steps and high common-mode rejection in  
balanced circuits. Wayne Colburn’s exceptional volume control, in  
conjunction with the unique LED display, gives the user the ability  
to replicate volume levels with absolute accuracy in steps of roughly  
3dB.  
Product Philosophy  
1) Circuit simplicity and a minimum number of components is a key  
element. The fewer parts in series with the signal path, the better.  
Adding more parts and gain stages may improve measured specs,  
but will seldom improve the perceived sonic quality or reliability of a  
product.  
2) The characteristic of gain devices and their specific use is  
important. Individual variations in performance between like devices  
are important, as are differences in topological usage. All signal  
bearing devices contribute to the degradation, but there are some  
different characteristics that are worthy of attention. For example,  
smooth low order nonlinearities are additive in quality, bringing false  
warmth and coloration, while abrupt high order nonlinearities add  
harshness and false brightness.  
3) Maximum intrinsic linearity is desired. This is the performance  
of the gain stages before feedback is applied. Experience suggests  
that feedback is a subtractive process; it removes information from  
the signal. In many older designs, poor intrinsic linearity has been  
corrected by large application of feedback, resulting in loss of  
warmth, space, and detail. The trick is to get good performance  
without this excessive reliance on feedback.  
The art of high end audio design lies in the approach of combining  
these elements to get high reliability and simplicity, high quality  
measured performance, and high quality subjective performance. It  
takes imagination and hard work to get as much of these as possible  
at once without trading them off against each other.  
We recommend the use of the balanced output mode where possible.  
It will retain the character of the input mode, but offers less  
distortion, less noise, more gain, and more voltage swing, without  
compromising the sound.  
Other Design Comments  
With balanced operation, the common-mode rejection of the  
preamp reflects the intrinsic common-mode rejection of the  
topology, the matching of the gain devices, and the matching of  
the attenuator channels. In this case we have been able to keep  
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the total mismatch to about .1%, for a common-mode rejection of  
approximately -60 dB.  
The input system of the preamplifier will exhibit full common-mode  
noise rejection with passive balanced sources, where the negative  
input is connected to ground at the source through the appropriate  
source impedance. This allows adaptation of unbalanced sources to  
balanced operation with passive cable connections in a manner that  
achieves the noise rejection of active balanced sources.  
The use of a micro-controller allows all of the preamplifier functions  
to be repeatable and accurately controlled. The micro-processor  
only controls the functions of the preamplifier. At no time does  
any of the input or output signal come into contact with the digital  
control signals. The digital circuits are powered by a power supply  
that is completely separate from the analog supply. Should it ever be  
necessary to update the software that controls the functioning of the  
preamp only the socketed micro-processor need be changed.  
The power supply for the X2.2 consists of a toroidal power  
transformer delivering an unregulated +/- 45 volts which is actively  
regulated before feeding passive filtering and powering the constant  
current sources which bias the gain stages. Each channel has its own  
regulation. The power supply noise reaching the circuit is on the  
order of one microvolt, and the little of that which gets through the  
circuit is rejected at the output in a balanced system. The relays and  
control systems are regulated independently, and all digital circuitry is  
isolated from the power supply.  
Muting relays, which delay connection during turn-on and shut off  
the output when insufficient power supply is available to maintain  
regulation, guard the output of the preamplifier. The preamplifier  
is designed to run constantly, and will exhibit optimum measured  
performance within about 10 hours of turn-on.  
The X2.2 consists of a single chassis.  
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X2.2 Specifications  
Gain, Balanced:  
Gain, single-ended:  
Freq. Response:  
selectable 4 / 14dB  
selectable 4 / 14 dB  
-3 dB @ 2 Hz, -3 dB at @ 100K Hz  
Distortion @ 1KHZ: < .1 % THD, typically .003% @ 2 volts  
Maximum Output:  
Output Impedance:  
Input Impedance:  
10 volts rms. bal out, 7 volts rms. unbal  
200 ohms unbal, 750 ohms balanced  
33K Ohm unbal, 66K Ohm balanced  
CMRR:  
typ. -55 dB, 1KHz  
typ. -85 dB, 1KHz  
Crosstalk:  
Output Noise floor: < -125 dBV, 20Hz to 20KHz  
External amp turn on: 12 volts DC 50 mA continuous  
Power Consumption: 35 watts  
Dimensions:  
17” W x 11.5 “D  
28 Lbs in packing  
x 3.5”H  
Shipping Weight:  
Pass Laboratories Inc.  
P.O. Box 219,  
24449 Foresthill Rd.,  
Foresthill, CA 95631  
Tel: 530.367.3690, Fax: 530.369.2193, www.passlabs.com  
© 2006 Pass Laboratories Inc.  
“Pass”, “pass”, “Pass Labs”, “Pass Laboratories”, Supersymmetery”,  
Aleph”, and “Zen” and are all registered trademarks of Pass  
Laboratories, Inc., and all rights thereto are protected by law.  
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Please check with the factory-authorized distributor in the country you are  
purchasing this product for specific warranty information.  
Warranty Information  
All Pass Laboratories products purchased from an authorized Pass Labora-  
tories dealer in North America are covered by a transferable, limited 3-year  
warranty. This warrantee includes all parts and labor charges incurred at the  
repair facility in addition to return shipping to the domestic customer, exclu-  
sive of subsequent damages. Damage due to physical abuse is specifically  
not covered under this warranty.  
For this warranty to apply the customer is responsible for returning the  
product unmodified to the factory within the warranty period. The customer  
assumes all responsibility for shipping and insurance to the factory or a fac-  
tory specified repair facility. The conditions and stipulations of this Pass  
Laboratories warranty only applies to units sold new in North America.  
Non-North America customers should consult with their original Pass Labs  
dealer or distributor for warrantee repair instruction prior to contacting the  
factory or shipping product for repair.  
Non-North American product must be returned to the country of origin for  
warrantee service. Foreign distributors are only required to offer warranty  
service on Pass Laboratories product that they have imported.  
Please note: Conditions of warranty service and customer rights for product  
purchased outside the United States may vary depending upon the distribu-  
tor and local laws. Please check with your local distributor for specific rights  
and details.  
Any modifications to Pass Laboratories products that have not received  
written factory approval nullify all claims and void the warrantee. Should a  
modified product be returned to the factory for repair the owner will be re-  
quired to pay all necessary charges for the repair in addition to those charges  
required to return the product to it’s original configuration.  
In the case of safety issues, no product shall be returned to the customer  
without those safety issues being corrected to the most recent accepted  
standards.  
Removal or alteration of original Pass Labs serial numbers voids the factory  
warranty. Product with altered or missing serial numbers will be suspected  
as counterfeit product.  
Pass Laboratories will not repair or in any way indemnify any counterfeit or  
cloned product.  
Pass Laboratories does not offer products in voltages intended for inter-  
national markets either to authorized Pass Labs dealers or to third parties  
located in the United States or Canada.  
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For your protection please  
read the following:  
Water and moisture: Electrical devices should not be used near  
water ( as per example, near a bathtub, washbasin, kitchen sink,  
laundry tub, wet basement or swimming pool ). Care should be  
taken such that objects do not have the opportunity to fall, and that  
liquid is never spilled onto or into the device enclosure through  
openings.  
Power Sources: An electrical device must be connected to a mains  
power source in strict accordance with the supplied product owner’s  
manual. Please verify that the AC mains voltage specified in the  
product manual matches those requirements indicated on the unit  
and the AC voltage provided to your location by the power company.  
Grounding: Adequate precautions should be taken so that the  
grounding provisions built into an electrical product are never  
defeated.  
Power Cords: Pass Laboratories provides a power supply cord that  
meets all legislated requirements for the market in which the product  
was originally sold. If you choose to substitute an after-market  
product we urge you to choose one that is fully safety rated by the  
necessary local authority.  
Power Cord Protection: Power supply cords should be routed so  
that they are not likely to be walked on, abraded, or pinched by items  
placed on or against them, paying particular attention to cords where  
they enter plugs or exit from a device. Never under any circumstance  
insert a cut or damaged power cord into a mains power socket.  
Power and Signal: Cables should never be connected /  
disconnected with equipment powered up. Failure to heed this  
warning may damage or destroy equipment.  
Ventilation: Power-amplifiers run hot, but you should be able to  
place your hands on them without discomfort. You must allow for  
this heat in installation, by providing for free air circulation around  
the product. Electronics should not be subjected to sources of  
excessive radiant heat. Excessive heat can shorten the life of the  
product and may cause the electronics to self-protect and shut down.  
Servicing: To reduce the risk of fire, electrical shock or other  
injuries, the user should not attempt to service the device beyond  
that which is described in the operating instructions. All other  
servicing must be referred to qualified service personnel.  
10  
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