Pass labs XA60.5 anything wrong with them.

I have stunning results in both 2 channel and Multi channel. I use it and sell it both in stereo and in Multi channel. I prefer it over the XP-20 from Pass Labs even in stereo use which I had for 2 years. I talked about this several times with Pass Labs. My stage is even deeper and wider than I had with the XP-20. The Onkyo with Audyssey Pro has a more sharp individual focus of instruments and voices. But that is not even the most surprising part. 2nd and 3th voices on recordings are a lot more easy to follow. Because the articulation is better. I never heard 2nd and 3 th voices this clear. It is the same with instruments. For every person it is that easy to focus on every single part of the recording.

Bo1972: Thanks for the info. Very interesting that it beats the XP-20. It's also a lot less expensive! How's the phono section on the Onkyo?

No the phono section is not that special. You have to hear it how unique the Onkyo PR-SC5509 with my measurement is. Because I would not believe wenn someone would say this story. I would say it is the biggest bullshit I ever heard. I understand that it is difficult to believe. I have plans to modify the Onkyo with better parts later this year. The person who does my technical support is exeptional good in technique. He modified many expensive amp's and sources from clients. I think we can reach even a higher level.

Ok, cool, sounds good. Good luck with that. Speaking of Onkyo, why not this preamp from them?

http://us.onkyo.com/Products/model.php?m=P-3000R&class=Reference&source=prodClass

I did use this one also a little at the show. I tested it also at home. It is good, but it is not exciting. Without Audyssey Pro you stay in a different world. During the show I used my Samsung Plasma ( 64 inch) as a screen. I can put the different parts of the Audyssey system to on and off. Wenn I do not use anything of Audussey anymore the party is over. Drive, speed, sublime focus, dynamics and resolution are lost for a very big part. With the XP-20 I had very good results in dynamics, focus, resolution and in a wide and deep stage. But now every part with the way I measure I can top all of it. I learned to use Audyssey from a highend perspective. Audyssey is focussed on a different way. Those results are good sometimes but never thrilling. The way they use it you still loose too much. This part I did improve a lot. Wenn you build a surround system you first start with the stereo part. From stereo you build to Multi channel. The reason is very simple. Wenn every part in stereo is right it is easier to get it right in Multi channel. I have a lot of music on bluray these days and I love it. But I still play the most in stereo.