What is wrong here.. on Audiogon?

Yes, I did get some good replies. miller carbon & glennewdick..yes I've had several very helpful people around here and to those people, thank you. I just would not expect that much interest in a thread that seemed so dumb.. IMHO.

So this really isn't any different than watching TV.. any provocative solacious thread, gets attention and quality PBS programing goes unwatched.

Your question about specific gear can only really be answered in a meaningful way by those few that are actually familiar with the Pass gear whereas any shmo can offer an opinion about VU meters.

You’ll find any topics based purely on conjecture tend to get the most responses. Conjecture is easy. Anyone can do it.  

Your question was easily answered with concrete examples. The other thread you mentioned wasn't. So it got more response.

Personally I wouldn’t characterize a relatively light-hearted thread about a matter that is essentially inconsequential, that involves individual preferences, and that has no right or wrong answer, as "anti-intellectual" and "dumb," or even as being objectionable in any way. And others have provided good explanations above as to why that thread is receiving many more responses than your preamp thread.

All of which, IMO, does not amount to anything being "wrong here." To the extent that something is wrong here, IMO, it is mainly how the personalities of some members come to the fore in threads about controversial matters that could well be discussed on an intellectual level, and cause those threads to devolve into unconstructive, unpleasant, and nonsensical exchanges. Such as threads about certain controversial tweaks, for example.

BTW, I use a DEQX HDP-5 as my preamp with my XA25, but I haven’t responded in your preamp thread because it’s a whole different thing than a conventional preamp, its use involves a very substantial learning curve, and it wouldn’t meet your stated budget.

Regards,
-- Al