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Pass Labs X2.5 or Krell KAV-280p? WWYD?

I'm shopping the used preamp market, and see a few solid state units in my price range. Notably the Pass Labs X2.5 and the Krell KAV-280p. Within $500 of each other, both are very affordable.  And I need to say that borrowing one and listening to it in my system is not an option, I have to purchase on faith. So, I call on the vast experience of my fellow A'Goner's!  WWYD? (What would you do?)  

I have always been a solid state kind of guy, listen mostly to rock music, and my system consists of a Cary 306 CD player, VPI Scout w/Sumiko BPS III through a Phonomena phono pre, and Forte' Model 3 driving Legacy Focus 20/20 speakers in a 16x20 room. Most cables are Harmonic Technology Truthlink, with a Van Den Hul cable on phono and Legacy speaker cables. The amp is next on my list, so the Forte's days are numbered.  The preamp I'm replacing is a Parasound Halo 3. 

Has as anyone actually compared the two preamps? Or heard either one in a familiar system? I appreciate all opinions, advice, and testimonies. 
alpha_gt
jmcgrogan2's avatar
jmcgrogan2
6,346 posts
 
What would I do? I would buy the best tube preamp that I could afford.

Since you wish to limit yourself to SS though, I would look long and hard for a Klyne 7 series preamp. Hard to find on the used market, but when it comes to SS, hard to beat for the money. IMHO.
alpha_gt OP
155 posts
 
I have nothing against tubes per say, but I am spoiled by the features that solid state preamps offer in this price range. Remote control is a "must have" for me personally, balanced outputs, and 5 or 6 inputs, to get a tubed pre that has these features of the same quality as these units would most likely run into a substantial higher price. Same for the Klyne. I've heard the Klyne at the local salon, and it definitely is a fine piece of gear! But, they are not going to be selling anywhere near the price of these two pre's.  Maybe on my next preamp upgrade I can move into that price territory? 

jmcgrogan2's avatar
jmcgrogan2
6,346 posts
 
Out of curiosity, what price range are you talking about?

It seems as if you are asking an awful lot from a preamp for a small amount of money. Especially if you are talking about a true differential design.

You may be able to get better quality by looking for an integrated amp in the lower price ranges (or even higher). Cost saving could be used on fewer chassis'/cords/cables instead of on lower quality internal components.

Especially since you are already saying that your amp is next on the list.
There are some very good integrated amps on the market these days.

That's just my $0.02.
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