Pass Labs XP-20 or Audio Research Ref 3?


Who's compared the two in your system?
Please let me know. Thanks
128x128alan2
Maybe it is not there. Because there is no highend pre amp with roomcorrection in one box.

All the expensive pre amps people own here on audiogon still do not use roomcorrection. Even if you have a good acoustic room, it is till being effected by the room.

I am a perfectionist, I can hear in about 10 seconds with my own music what a set has and what is missing for what I call Total Sound. I visited many people with expensive sets. There is still missing too much.

Even a good pre amp does not solve this. I am very interested in the new Pass Labs power amps. For me Pass Labs is the most complete brand in making poweramps. In my world Pass Labs poweramps are stunning. And there pre amps are very good, but not stunning.
I have had a few people also working in audio and who do highend Audio. They were amazed what I achieved with a simple Onkyo PR-SC5509 with my way of using Audyssey Pro.

Last year I was the absolute sound on a big show. Give me a new .8 series poweramp and my pre amp, cables, source, conditioner and I can smash every set at a show. Why? Because I can let people hear new things. The level of articulation of voices is stunning.

I can get a 16 hz subwoofer fully integrated in a set of stereo speakers. And the low freq will come from the place were it was recorded. I call it Stealth inegration.

A extreme 3 dimensional image most people never heard this precise.

I also can let people hear the raw edge of a voice. So clear you understand directly why it is special.

I can use all the different parts in a set ( cables, source, conditioner, speakers and amps) more precise. Only because I use there properties. When you understand the properties you can go to a higher level in sound.

At shows often political sets are demonstrated. Seldom the properties fit well. People have to learn to look further. The same as people should work more togheter at shows. This is the only way there clients will be able to listen to a much higher endresult.

That is my main goal. For every single person who love music a much higher level in sound at home.
In many cases those who brag the most know the least.

And Bo proves this in spades.
Prove is what you let hear to people in sound with music. I understand that the words I use can be seen as bragging.

But I can use sound so people understand my words. At the end they know it is exactely as I told them.

This is not about bragging. It is about passion and emotion. You have to see further. Like I said many times; it is not about me. Maybe when you read the words you think it is. But believe me it is not.

When you would listen to my systems you will understand that I did choose the exact words!
Bo-

you are certainly on to something w/ the room-correction thing. I have been to many dealers/retailers and have had poor auditioning experiences because of diminished room acoustics. Keep posting your experiments.

Which gear is in your system?