Pass Labs XP-30 vs Krell Evo 202

I would take a hard listen to the Krell Phantom two box preamp. There's one on audiogon listed that looks like it could be had for half off. I actually don't see how you could audition one since out of production now. A very special piece of gear. I use one with an Agostino amp. 

Thanks for the input so far everyone.

teajay,
Based on price I would hope the Pass Labs to have the best overall performance. For each option, I am looking to compare the amount of performance improvement I would get vs the cost.You mentioned that you had heard the Classe, Krell, and Pass units. On a scale of 1 to 100, if you were to give the Pass Labs XP30 a 100, what would you rank the Classe CP50 and the Krell EVO 202?

randy-11,
I actually considered the Ayre KXR and from what I have gathered it has good performance. I am a bit concerned about trying it in this specific application with the Thiels based on what I have heard about its tonal balance. The Thiels are right at the edge of being to hot on the top end and from what I have read I gathered that the Ayre is pretty hot on the top end also so I am a bit concerned that It would not be a synergistic match for the Thiels. However this is just a hunch, If anyone has actual experience with Ayre and Thiel I would like to hear your input on this combo?

I am open to tube options. My last venture into tubes described in my original post ended up with me keeping the solid state Classe. One of the things i like about the Classe is that the images come out of a completely black back ground where as the tube pre I tried had a higher noise floor which could be heard throughout the soundstage. Also, I lost a lot of detail and the images smeared together with the tube pre I tried. If there are some tube options that can produce this black background, not loose the detail, and keep space between the instruments in the soundstage I am open to considering them.

lancelock,
I looked up the Liner Tube Audio MZ2-s and i did not see an option for balanced output. My amp only has balanced and cast inputs so I don’t think it will work in this application.

erik_squires,
What preamp does moves you to tears?

charles1dad,
I agree with you comment about listening. I would say one of the purposes of this tread is to narrow the choices to those most likely to be successful in my system and then step two would be to buy used the one that seems like it is most likely to get the desired result and listen to it as you have described.

4425,
Tell me more about what you like about the Phantom. My understanding is that the Phantom is the updated version of the EVO 202 i am considering. From what I have read here these units are supposed to sound pretty similar with the Phantom being slightly more refined.

Nothing really in a long time has been all that for me. When I last really got excited about a preamp it was a CJ premiere, and a Sonic Frontiers.

Recently, sounding "really good" but not necessarily OMG!! I really liked the sound of the recent AR integrated and Ayre preamp with Wilson speakers.

Since I really have no space or heat/electrical budget for tubes, it would probably be an Ayre.

Oh, wait. The CAT I heard at the Magico demo was pretty outstanding, and far beyond my budget.

Best,

E

erik_squires

post pics of your gear In Virtual Systems. 

cadence151

look into a Krell pre-amp.  Happy Listening!