Don’t understand the cause and effect nexus…care to elaborate…?
(Not questioning your experience, just seeking a bit of understanding…)
TIA
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It seems the excess handling of the unit due to air + ground etc. is where they see the majority of the returns for the noisy left channel as it was explained to me. It’s their only guess as to why 2 perfectly tested units arrived defective from FedEx who’s also been known to have their own QC issues when it comes to delivery. The damage occurs between their dock and my doorstep and we were 2 for 2.
Understood…seems odd; a shame…
Sounds like you are enjoying the XP-12.
I am tempted by all of the multi-box Pass pre-amps.
Maybe someday.
Cheers.
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Yes and I have received many items from PS starting over 15 years ago with my Power Plant Premier and Quintessesense with zero issues so definitely a fan just disappointed by the BHK no being able to make it. I really wish I had a single remote for my system as that Pass Labs remote is a pure billet aluminum brick lol
Any opinions on VanAlstine preamps?
Not on the preamps, but I do have an AVA hybrid amp. A really fine amp. I have heard his full suite of equipment at shows, so I guess yes I have heard his preamps, but in unfamiliar surroundings. Having said that, Frank’s stuff has always kind of “flown under the radar”, providing great sound that seems not to get much notice. What’s nice is you can try one of his preamps with the ability to return it if it’s not for you.
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Don’t think you can go wrong with the Pass or for that matter, many other SS preamps. That said, I wouldn’t give up on tubes based on one negative experience.
If you want holographic soundstage, sweet midrange and soul, the right tubed pre with the right tubes is a good place to start. I own a Concert Fidelity tube line-stage that is dead quiet and doses out the magic in spades
Good luck with the search, please let us know the direction you end up going!
Best,
-JP
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I changed caps in my BHK Pre to V-Caps CuFT and it is totally different level unit. It sounds like 30K pre now 
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@Dr_Jekyll @scotte1
I can commiserate with your FedEx experiences—most of us can; but I’d guess that shipments to Hawaii probably are handled better, and are transferred between planes/truck no more (and probably less) than shipments on the mainland. There must be something else to explain your observation.
Why didn’t you have it repaired by PSA until it was quiet? Shipping cost out of warranty/used unit?
I really wish I knew but with 2 units sharing the same identical issue we couldn’t come to any other conclusion. I would have liked nothing better than to have a full stack for convenience as well.
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FWIW, I really like my ALLNIC 6500