Price Paid:  $9000.00 from Sounds of Music

Summary:
This preamp is an upgrade from the Pass Labs X2, itself a fine balanced design. My criteria were absolute transparency, at least two balanced inputs, balanced output (to drive my Chord SPM-1200E power amp) and remote control. The X1 meets the criteria and furthers overall system performance with fantastic transparency and good driving characteristics to the power amp. It presents no discernible character of its own and is very quiet in operation. The power supply comes in a separate box (mine is the 'hybrid cosmetics', but performs the same as the later models).
Note that the X1 is considerably better than the X2, itself a nice preamp. I have yet to hear anything more transparent in my system.

Strengths:
Absolute transparency, wide frequency range, good balanced drive for power amps, remote control.

Weaknesses:
None.

Similar Products Used:
Krell & BAT preamps.