Pass Labs XP-20 or Audio Research Ref 3?

Is modesty still a virtue?

It is as it is. What I write in words I can create with sound. So all people know what I said. Audio Always need to be clear and honest as possible.

Bo, Wow. Congratulations. I'd like to ask again, what do you consider to be a stunning pre amp? I gather from your response that it is only the one that only you know how to optimize and use correctly and hear the result. But for the rest of us, if we don't want to add digital to the chain, or add digital room correction, what commercially available pre amp would you recommend to the rest of us who may not have your extensive experience?

It is clear that you do not like the XP-20, so perhaps you can suggest something else.

I would also really enjoy seeing photographs of and reading about your incredible system.

Alan2-

In separate systems I preferred the ARC Ref5 SE compared to the ARC Ref3. This pre is best mated w/ Wilson speakers and Transparent cables/cords. Probably the best tubed- pre out there, until I demo a Conrad Johnson ART3.

Conversely, the Pass XP-20 is the finest solid-state pre that I have auditioned to date (the XP-30 is on my short-list as I write). It plays well (no pun) w/ not only Pass amps but other manufacturers amps as well. During demo we used Threshold, Parasound, Aesthetix and Pass power amps.
Associated cables/cords were Silent Source (my fave!), Audioquest and Signal Cable.

Hope this helps.

The XP-20 is still a very good pre amp. Don't get me wrong. I was very happy with it for 2 years of time. It still did cost a lot of money.

To understand what is possible with roomcorrection. You need to do many tests. Second it is good luck that it gives me the freedom to change so many things. Without this space of freedom it would not be possible.

I wrote Pass, that there is a need for highend roomcorrection. Because the limitation of acoustics is still too big. The advantages of roomcorrection are so big that without it, it would never become this good.

You need to understand the advantages and also the disadvantages of roomcorrection to use it to the max. But I can garantee you that it brings you to a much higher level in endresults you would think of now. And yess there are many room acoustic systems who are not that special.

In my opinion there is only a few % of everything what is being developed in the world of audio what can be exeptional good. Most of the time you never will win any war with it. That is why I hate all the grap there is on the market. I know many expensive stuff what has nothing to do with quality or the real thing!!