Used Pre - Ayre, Pass or Para JC2?

I had the Paramount JC2 a couple of years ago. Initially I thought it was good, but I quickly sold it. In my system it didn't provide details and open up the soundstage like I expected. I was going from a DAC straight into the amp.

Sorry, previous post should read: Parasound JC2.

The Ayre K1xe is about as good as you can get....even though its a bit long in the toothe. I was wondering what the need for bypass is.....the Ayre has a tape out setting....wouldn’t that suffice? Read the reviews of the Ayre unit....its really a wonderful preamp....and it will be trouble free for your grandchildren

Bypass is for integrating a HT processor. Bypass allows the HT Processor to take over volume for all 7.1 channels, though L and R continue to be routed through the 2 channel music preamp.

I'm very pleased with the sound I get with my JC 2 BP.  For stereo, it takes output from an Ayer C-5xeMP or JC 3 phono stage and outputs to a pair of JC 1 amps.  For multichannel, the front LR from a Bryston SP3 is passed through the JC 2 to the JC 1s.