Which Pre-Amp Pass Labs or Audio Research

It all depends what type of sound you like. Pass is clean and timbre-accurate and very neutral.

AR has tubes and adds harmonics and bloom but timbre isn't accurate - it has more of a whitish sound, but beautiful just the same.

Personally I prefer the Pass but it's a matter of taste - apples vs oranges. Both are excellent.

"AR has tubes and adds harmonics and bloom but timbre isn't accurate - it has more of a whitish sound, but beautiful just the same."

How do you know the timbre isn't accurate on the AR? As far as I know, there's no way to measure timbre.

I had an XP20 with X350. It sounded amazing!! I am not a fan of audio research based on the few times I heard them in showrooms so I would clearly suggest the pass.

Thanks Guys, I`ve been into tubes since the 70`s and have been thinking about change but could never get the information you wonderful audio enthusiastic enthusiast have supplied me with. I have one questioned the preamps before the xp10-20-30 the X2.0 its a possibility I can get it for a pretty fair price should I or go with one of the newer preamps? Best regards, 813Sheridan

most the reviews are saying that everything in the current xp lineup are better than the older x pre's but i have not heard the older ones myself.