Pass XP-32 Instruction Manual

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PASSTM
XP-32 Owner’s Manual

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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
opportunitytofall,andthat liquid is neverspilled ontoor intothedeviceenclosure
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
theACmainsvoltagespeciedintheproductmanualmatchesthoserequirements
indicated on the unit and the AC voltage provided to your location by the power
company.
Grounding:Adequateprecautionsshouldbetakensothatthegroundingprovisions
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
youchoosetosubstituteanafter-marketproductweurgeyoutochooseonethatis
fully safety rated by the necessary local authority.
Power Cord Protection: Power supply cords should be routed so that they are
notlikely tobewalkedon, abraded,or pinchedbyitems placedon 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-ampliers 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
subjectedtosourcesofexcessiveradiantheat.Excessiveheatcanshortenthelifeof
the product and may cause the electronics to self-protect and shut down.
Servicing: To reduce the risk of re, 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 qualied service
personnel.

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Introduction:
Thank you for purchasing the Pass Labs XP-32 line stage, we trust it will entice you
to re-discover your favorite recordings and explore new musical delights.
At Pass Laboratories we do not change products or oer a new model unless we
believethechangesoersignicantimprovementsoverthepreviousversion. Asa
result we typically experience products with a seven to eight year production run.
We are constantly working on and listening to new circuits and components,
increasingourknowledgeandseekingbettersoundandenhancedproductreliability.
Overtimewendenhancementsworthyofputtingintoproductionandsignicant
enough to warrant a change in design. That time has come for the XP-32.
The new design uses uses double shielded low noise torroids in a true dual mono
topology for the gain channels and another transformer, linear power supply
dedicated to the control architecture. The use of three fully independent power-
supplies in the control chassis results in dramatically lower radiated noise and far
better THD+Noise gures in the gain stages. Residual circuit noise becomes
paramountatlowsignallevels. Bygoingtoextremelengthstolowernoiseweenjoy
better resolution and dynamics in the music.
InthetwogainchassiswecontinuetouseourfavoriteNOSToshibasbutwithlarger
and higher biased output stages in a topology very similar to that used in the Pass
Labs “Flagship” Xs Preamp
Thelargeroutput stages bringpracticality tomuchlonger and multiplecableruns,
bothbalancedandsingleendedandgivesustheadvantageofsimplifyingoursingle
ended output circuitry while simultaneously increasing performance.
Thevolumeconrolisasinglestagetopology,itfeaturesgreaterrange,0.5dBvolume
steps while being quieter and more dynamic. Overall this makes for a quieter
and more versatile control center for your music system. The XP-32 measures
spectacularly well but more importantly it stands out sonically

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Setup:
Pleasereadand understand theoperationalinstructions and safetyissues associatedwith
this product. We go through great eort to make a soundly engineered and superbly
performingproductof lastingdurability. Ifyouhaveanyquestionsweareanxioustoassist
in addressing them. Do not hesitate to contact either your dealer or the Pass Labs factory
directly. We are here to support the product and you the end-user.
Aswithallthingselectrical,thepowercordshouldbethelastitemattachedtothepre-amp
andtheveryrstcabletoberemovedanytimeyouhook-uporremoveanyequipmentfrom
the signal chain.
The JAE umbilical cable should never be connected or removed without turning the XP-
32 o from the rear panel power switch or by unplugging the AC Power cord. When
installing the circular connector on the JAE umbilical, care must be exercised to fully seat
the connector and bottom the ring nut. The connectors are keyed and can only go in one
way.Thelarger tab goes to the top.Thering nut isprovidedwith a conventionalright hand
threadthatshouldneverrequireanyuseofforceortoolstoconnectordisconnectthecable
from either chassis Clockwise rotation of the ring nut to secure the connector, counter-
clockwise rotation to remove.
The gain channels may be placed in proximity of the power supply control unit (either on
top of or underneath) with negligible loss of performance due to the extensive shielding
aorded the power supply. Some separation of the chassis is however encouraged. The
umbilical cables as supplied are 1.5m (5ft) in length to allow for convenient component
placement.
The XP-32 draws roughly 70W of power in operation. The pre-amplier’s actual voltage
and current rating are indicated on an axed tag on the rear of the pre-amplier. Please
verify that the indicated voltage requirements of this product are consistent with the
supplied power at your intended point of use.
We have provided a standard IEC AC power cord that ts into the IEC 320 line receptacle /
switched inlet module at the rear of the amplier. In addition to providing for power cord
attachmentthisinletmoduleadditionallyincorporatesapowerswitchandfuseholder.The
fuse in all cases will be a 5mm x 20mm non re-settable time delay glass fuse. Proper fuse
value is indicated on the back of the amp.
The IEC inlet provides for a safety ground via the AC mains power cord. In addition
to safety this ground is necessary for proper noise rejection. Do not defeat this ground
connection.
NOTE: the “Overload” and “Time Delay” characteristics of UL and CE rated fuses are
not identical. Additionally these characteristics will dier slightly (due to the dierence in

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metallurgy of the fuse elements) between commercial grade and audiophile grade fuses.
Wecannotguaranteethat youraudiophilegraderatedfusewillblowatthe proper in-rush
current, and in doing so provide adequate protection to yourself or this unit.
Use of other than the approved / indicated fuses may invalidate your product warranty,
result in product damage and potential risk to life and property. Should you desire or have
need to change the fuse, please contact your dealer or the factory.
Oneachgainchannelthereare5numberedinputs,onededicatedhometheaterinputanda
tape loop (total of 7 useable inputs) Each of the 7 inputs accept either single-ended (RCA)
or balanced XLR cables.
Oneachgain channel there aretwopairs of outputsassociatedwith volumecontrols. One
main output and one slave output (either RCA or XLR). The“slave”output may be set
equal to or less than the “main”output by use of the “small volume control knob on the
gain channels.
Once set both “main”and “slave” outputs track each other through the main volume
controlonthecontrolchassis.Havingtwoavailableandrelativelyindependentoutputswith
asingle volumecontrol allowsforbi-ampingusingampliers of dierentgainor driversof
dierent sensitivity.
The output of the “Tape-loop”is at 0dB (unity gain) output which allows for convenient
recording (independent of and bypassing the volume control).
BalancedinputsandoutputsareviaXLRconnectors.Single-endedinputandoutputsarevia
RCA connections. The XLR connections in all instances conform to AES/EBU standards,
where Pin 1 is grounded , Pin 2 is positive signal and Pin 3 is inverted signal.
The single-ended ground ( RCA Shell) is in parallel with the Balanced ground (Pin 1 of the
XLR) on the inputs.
The input from the RCA feeds a summing junction that maximized the patented
supersymmetry(Xcircuit)andpreservesthebalancedcharacteroftheXP-32frominputto
output when fed from a single-ended source.

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Operation:
The XP-32’s front panel controls and display are straight forward and intuitive. We
encourage you to become familiar with their operation prior to use.
After all the input and outputs are connected and double checked, you can now
attach the AC power cord and turn the unit on from the rear panel switch located
next to the AC inlet on the rear of the power-supply / control unit.
On the front panel the left-most “MUTE” switch when on silences the output of
thepre-amp,illuminatestheassociatedLEDandblanksthevolumestepnumbersin
thealpha-numericfrontpaneldisplay.Pressingthemuteasecondtimere-establishes
output,extinguishestheassociatedLEDandre-instatesthevolumestepnumbersin
the display
The front panel “MODE” switch cycles the front panel display through three
dierent levels (Bright-Dim-O ) Using any control function of the XP-32 with the
display “o” will momentarily bring the display back up to the dim setting.
Thetwoinputselectorswitches(designatedbyleftandrightpointingarrows)then
alter the displayed active input, 1 through 5. The two additional inputs (home
theater and tape) are selectable only from the hand remote.
Beforeselectingthehometheaterpassthrough(passthruonthehandremote),for
the rst time, it is imperative that the input device on the HT input have it’s gain set
to zero Failure to follow this precaution could result in a volume level intolerable
to both ears and speakers. Selecting home theater bypass, sets the gain of the pre-
amplier to 0dB (gain of 1x)
When the Pass Thru function is selected volume control of the system is under
control of the device connected to “Pass-Thru”and the XP-32 is essentially
invisible. When Pass-Thru is selected the display will show “PASS THRU” and the
volumewill quicklyrampfrom 000 to 179 in both right and leftchannels (each step
representing1/2dB) Volumestep179representstheaforementioned0dB gainfor
usewithcomponentssuchasahometheaterprocessorthatbestfunctionwiththeir
own internal volume controls. (NOTE: you may set any numbered input to“Unity”
(0dB by manually selecting an indicated level of 179 on the XP-32 display
The electronic volume control of the XP-32 allows for 100 dB range in 0.5dB steps
and is driven by a micro controller, reading an optical encoder serving as the front
panelvolumecontrol.assuringpreciselevelstepswithanabsoluteincrementof0.5
dB. This allows for accuracy and channel to channel tracking that is not available
inmoretraditionalvolumecontrolsandpreserveshighcommonmoderejectionof
signal in a true balanced circuit.

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The hand remote uses a multi-button direct access architecture. This remote
is designed to function with and operate several pieces of Pass Laboratories
electronics. Not all functions available on this hand remote will be applicable to
your Pass Laboratories, XP-32. The Remote operation is or should be very intuitive
in operation; we have attempted to its operation as familiar as possible. Where
applicable the remote mirrors the front panel control of the XP-32.
HAND REMOTE
POWER: Power buttion is not used with the XP-32.
MUTE:Pressingmuteonce willquietthe pre-ampoutputs;pressingmutea second
time returns the XP-32 to the previous volume control settings
INPUT SELECTION: Pressing 1,2,3,4,5 will immediately move the input to that
inputselectionandthevolumeandbalancesettingsremainastheywere,un-altered.
TAPE: Pressing the tape button selects the tape loop and displays INPUT TAPE t
with volume at 000.
BALANCE: Pressing balance left (<) or balance right (>) will increase the level in
the right or left speaker depending upon button is pushed
VOLUME: Pressing the increase (^) button or the decrease (v) button will shift the
volume setting in both channels equally in 0.5 steps. Holding either button down
willincreaseordecreasethelevel,untilsuchtimeasyoueitherreleasethebuttonor
reach the limits of the volume control.
PASS THRU: Pressing this button once selects the Pass-Thru input and displays
“PASS THRU” and swiftly ramps the volume from step 0 to step 179. As a
precautionpressinganycommandduringthisrampupsequences,abortstheramp
upandsetsthe levelto000 inbothchannelsimmediately. Atthis point commands
arelockedandun-responsive.Thislockingofcommandsisintentionalandincluded
to help avoid excessive and potentially dangerous play back levels. Pressing“Pass
Thru” a second time exits “pass-thru”and un-locks other command functions..
DISPLAY:There are three brightness settings on the display selectable from either
the hand remote or the front panel of the Control unit: Bright, Dim and O. The
default setting for the display is“bright”. Pressing the display button on the hand
remote or the“mode”button on the front panel steps through the 3 possible
settings.
When“o”is selected any other control function will cause the display function to
illuminate and show the products operational status for approximately 7 seconds.

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After 7 seconds of the display being illuminated, it will once again go blank and
remainoaslongastherearenocommandinputs. Pressingthebuttonathirdtime
cycles back to a “bright display”
EXT AMP ON; Selection of “Ext Amp On”applies 12Vdc to a two conductor
3.5mm TS (tip-sleeve) connector on the rear of the XP-32 control chassis. This is
intendedtosupplyatriggervoltagethatwillturnonassociatedequipmentsuchas
poweramps. Asper convention+ voltageisapplied tothe tipcontact and-voltage
isappliedtothesleevecontract. Checktheownersmanualofyourpre-amptoseeif
this function in compatible.
The hand remote is powered by 2 each AAA batteries that are housed under the
rearcoverofthehandremote. Batteriesshouldbechangedannuallyoranytimethe
remote ceases normal function.

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Warranty Information
Wegothroughgreateorttomakeasoundlyengineered,andsupurblyperformingproduct
of lasting duribility. But we also understand that things infrequently go wrong, if you have
any questions or problems please contact either your dealer or the factory, we are here to
support the product and you, the user.
AllPassLaboratoriesproductspurchasednewfromanauthorizedPassLaboratoriesdealer
in North America are covered by a transferable, limited 3-year warranty. This warranty
includesallpartsandlaborchargesincurredatthefactoryorfactoryspeciedrepairfacility,
exclusive of any subsequent or consequential damages. Damage due to physical abuse is
specically excluded under this warranty.
Forthiswarrantytoapplythecustomerisresponsibleforreturningtheproductunmodied
tothefactorywithinthespeciedwarrantyperiod.Thecustomerassumesallresponsibility
for shipping and insurance to and from the factory or a factory specied repair facility.The
conditionsandstipulationsofthisPassLaboratorieswarrantyonlyappliestounitsoriginally
sold new through an authorized dealer. Warranty on factory repair is 60 days and covers
only the scope of the original repair.
Non-North America customers should consult with their original Pass Labs dealer or
distributorforwarrantyrepairinstructionpriortocontactingthefactoryorshippingproduct
to the factory for repair.
Non-North American product must be returned to the country of origin for warranty
service. ForeigndistributorsareonlyrequiredtooerwarrantyserviceonPassLaboratories
product that they have imported, veriable by serial number.
Please note: Conditions of warranty service and customer rights for product purchased
outside the United States may vary depending upon the distributor and local laws. Please
check with your local distributor for specic rights and details.
Any modications to Pass Laboratories products that have not received written factory
approval nullify all claims and void all provisions of the warranty and liability by the maker
orauthorizeddistributor.Shouldamodiedproductbereturnedtothefactoryforrepairthe
ownerwillberequiredtopayallnecessarychargesfortherepairinadditiontothosecharges
required to return the product to it’s original conguration.
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 suspect as counterfeit or stolen
product.
PassLaboratorieswillnotrepairorinanywayindemnifyanycounterfeitorclonedproduct.
Pass Laboratories does not oer products in voltages intended for international markets
either to authorized Pass Labs dealers or to third parties located in the United States or
Canada.
For more information please contact: Pass Laboratories Inc.

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“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.
PASS®
Pass Laboratories Inc., 13395 New Airport Rd., Suite G, Auburn, CA 95602
voice: 530.878.5350 - fax: [phone] - web: passlabs.com
XP-32 Specs:
Power consumption 70 watts
Gain 9.6 dB Balanced
Output Impedance: 25 Ohms RCA, 50 Ohms XLR
Input Impedance: 22K Ohms
Frequency response: +/- 0.05 dB 20Hz to 20KHz
-2dB @ 150KHz
Crosstalk > 110dB
THD < 0.001 @ 1V 1Khz
Max out 23V RMS 0.1%
Residual Noise 500nV RMS, SN -150dB ref max out
Dimensions: 17”w x 12.5”d x 4”h times three
Weight: 62.5 lbs
Shipping weight: 78 lbs