Phono preamp Pass Labs XP-17 or XP-27

Maybe there will be good deals on the 25 now that it’s been superseded by the 27. That’s how I would shop.

I am using a Townshend Rock 7 with an Ortofon A90 cartridge with Harbeth 40.2 speakers

the sound is already fantastic but yes would imagine better still with the xp27 albeit over double the price so would be a down the road thing probably not until they upgrade the xp27 or someone with cash to burn moves up to the xs line and sells xp27 at great deal

I thought my XP15 was awesome and was very pleased with the sound, then I picked up the XP25. The 25 was much better right out of the box, how good? Running a Dynavector XV1s through the 25 and my Ayre KXR Twenty and Krell 402E it sounds more dynamic, the sound stage is huge and the whole thing is dead neutral, natural and exciting but easy on the ears. I would say the XP25 easily beats my DCS Vivaldi stack with that cartridge. This is probably the best sound I've ever heard and I've been into this since I was 12. I just ordered the XP27. 

XP 27 uses circuitry from the XS Phono. I have not listened to one personally but a friend says it sounds like a John Curl design which is a very high compliment. It is only money:) The John Curl Constellation Orion is (gulp) 80 K.