I recently did just what you did and upgraded from the 3 to the 2s. I had my 3 on a sandbox and added a second when I switched to the monoblocks. I personally found that the 2s sounded better that the 3. The extreme highs maybe sounded a little better with the 3, but the imprvement in bass slam and dynamics was clearly better with the 2s, plus if you can you will be able to run them balanced which you can't do with the 3. I have a friend who is heavily into this hobby and he recently quantified all of his tweaks (cords cones stands racks cd player upgrade you name it) and he came away whith the conclution that the vibraplane makes the most significant diffrence of all. I had a similar experience with a custom made stand for a mixing console in a recording studio. So yes amp stands do work. Don't listen to the guy who says you should have your neighbor come over and decide for you, thats the stupidest suggestion I've yet to hear
Amp stands- Do they work?
I recently purchased a Pass Aleph 3 and loved it so much that I "had to buy" a pair of the Aleph 2 monoblocks. I have been A/B-ing them at my home for the last 3 weeks for most of my free time. The 2s have a lot more presence, but lack the for lack of better words "musical reality" the 3 has. Forgive me for the term, but if you've heard the 3, then you probably understand. Anyway, I have asked most of the guys at Pass Labs and they essentially tell me I am hearing things- that the 2s "have all the sonic characteristics of the 3, just more of it" I have eliminated all other variables except that the 3 is on the bottom of my rack (Salamander Archetype), and the 2's are on the carpet in front of my system. I am interested in anyone's input as to the impact a reasonable stand might have on the sonics of my amps. I currently am acting on this hypothesis and have put the 3 on the floor next to the 2's. If it is of any help the components are in order- my source is a Muse Model 5 transport, Illuminati D-60 digital, EAD 7000 MkIII D/A, Kimber KCAG, Muse Model 3 preamp, WBT 5151 -great cable!!!!!, Pass Amps, Nordost Red Dawn speaker cable, B&W 804s. Counterpoint PAC-5 conditioner, API Power Wedge 4A conditioner. Marigo RMX ref power cables. Amps are using stock power cables- Nelson Pass's recommendation. Thanks for listening and I look forward to any input.