Advance Paris X-P700 Classic Preamplifier: A Plain-English Guide

What exactly is the Advance Paris X-P700 Classic?

The Advance Paris X-P700 Classic is a stereo preamplifier with a tube output stage. Think of a preamplifier as the control center of your hi-fi system. It takes all your different audio sources, whether that is a turntable, a CD player, or music streaming from a computer, and lets you select between them, adjust the volume, and shape the sound before sending everything on to a power amplifier and your speakers. The "tube output stage" part means the signal passes through vacuum tubes on its way out, which many listeners feel adds a warm, natural quality to the music. The X-P700 Classic blends this classic tube character with modern digital features, so it comfortably bridges the old and new worlds of audio.

Where does a preamplifier fit in a hi-fi system?

A preamplifier sits between your sources and your power amplifier. In many affordable systems, the preamp and power amp are combined into a single box called an integrated amplifier. In higher-end setups, they are often separated so each can do its job without interference. The X-P700 Classic handles the "control and refine" duties, then hands off the boosted signal to a separate power amplifier that drives your speakers. Splitting these tasks lets you upgrade one piece at a time and often gives you cleaner, more detailed sound.

Sound Shaping and Controls

What do the tone controls do?

The tone controls let you adjust the bass and treble to suit your taste, your room, or a particular recording. Bass controls the low, deep sounds like a kick drum or upright bass, while treble controls the high, airy sounds like cymbals and vocal detail. If a recording sounds a little dull, a touch more treble can open it up. If your room makes things sound thin, a little more bass adds body.

What is the tone control defeat or bypass?

The defeat or bypass switch turns the tone controls completely out of the signal path. When you engage bypass, the music travels the shortest, purest route through the preamplifier with no bass or treble adjustment applied at all. Purists often prefer this because every extra circuit a signal passes through can subtly change the sound. The beauty here is that you get both options: shape the sound when you want to, or switch to a clean, direct path when you want to hear the recording exactly as it was made.

What are the illuminated VU meters for?

The two illuminated VU meters are the glowing needle displays on the front panel that show the level of the music in real time. VU stands for Volume Unit, and these meters bounce along with the audio, giving you a visual sense of how loud the signal is. Beyond being genuinely useful for gauging levels, they add a warm, vintage glow and a sense of occasion. Many people find watching the needles dance to be part of the fun of owning a proper hi-fi.

Connecting Your Sources

What can I plug into the analog inputs?

The X-P700 Classic offers multiple RCA line level inputs and one balanced XLR input. RCA line level inputs are the standard connectors, using the familiar red and white plugs, for sources like a CD player, a streamer, or a tuner. Having several means you can keep multiple sources connected at once and simply select the one you want. The single balanced XLR input uses a larger three-pin connector that is designed to reject noise over longer cable runs, which is helpful if you have a source with a balanced output and want the cleanest possible connection.

Can I connect a turntable directly?

Yes, the X-P700 Classic includes a phono input that supports both moving magnet (MM) and moving coil (MC) cartridges. Turntables produce a very tiny signal that needs special boosting and correction before it can be played, and that is exactly what a phono stage does. Because this preamp handles both MM and MC cartridge types, it works with everything from an affordable entry-level turntable to a high-end deck fitted with a delicate moving coil cartridge. You will not need a separate phono box, which keeps your setup simpler.

How do I connect digital sources?

The X-P700 Classic has optical, coaxial, and USB digital inputs, feeding a built-in DAC. A DAC, or digital-to-analog converter, turns the ones and zeros of digital audio into the analog signal your speakers can play. Optical and coaxial inputs are perfect for a CD player, a TV, or a game console. The USB input lets you connect a computer directly, so your stored music files and streaming apps can play through the preamp's own high-quality converter rather than relying on your computer's basic sound card. This means you can build a complete digital system without buying a separate DAC.

Is there a headphone output?

Yes, there is a headphone output on the front panel. This lets you plug in a pair of wired headphones and enjoy private listening without powering up your speakers. It is ideal for late-night sessions or any time you simply want the music to yourself, and it draws on the same quality electronics that feed the rest of the system.

Sending Sound to the Rest of Your System

What are the preamplifier outputs?

The X-P700 Classic provides both RCA and balanced XLR preamplifier outputs. These carry the finished, volume-adjusted signal to your power amplifier. The RCA output works with virtually any power amp using standard cables, while the balanced XLR output offers a low-noise connection for power amps that have balanced inputs, especially useful over longer distances. Having both gives you flexibility to pair the X-P700 Classic with a wide range of power amplifiers.

What is the high-pass output for?

The high-pass output sends your speakers only the higher frequencies, leaving the deep bass to be handled elsewhere. When you use a subwoofer for the low notes, a high-pass output relieves your main speakers of the demanding deep bass, which can make them sound cleaner and more effortless. This is a thoughtful feature for anyone building a system where a subwoofer shares the workload with the main speakers.

Why are there two subwoofer outputs?

The two subwoofer outputs let you connect one or two subwoofers to add powerful, room-filling low bass. A subwoofer specializes in the very lowest frequencies, and using two can spread that bass more evenly around the room, smoothing out spots that would otherwise sound boomy or thin. Together with the high-pass output, these connections make it easy to create a well-balanced system with proper deep bass.

Build Quality and Who It Suits

Why does Advance Paris build quality matter?

Advance Paris build quality matters because a preamplifier is the heart of your system, and everything passes through it. Advance Paris designs its components with careful attention to solid construction, reliable connectors, and sound tuning done by ear as well as by measurement. A well-built preamp gives you confidence that connections stay tight, controls feel smooth, and the unit performs consistently for years. That combination of tube warmth, modern digital features, and dependable engineering is exactly what makes a piece like this worth living with day after day.

Who is the X-P700 Classic best suited to?

The X-P700 Classic suits anyone stepping into high-end audio who wants one flexible hub for both vinyl and digital music. If you own a turntable, stream music from a computer, and dream of adding a subwoofer or two down the line, this preamp covers all of it while adding the warmth of a tube output stage. It is a natural choice for someone who values classic charm, the glow of VU meters, and the freedom to grow a proper separates system over time.