Preamps better than Parasound JC-2 ?

I have a Pass Labs XP20 that I picked up for $4200.00 The best I've ever owned! Joe

Can it be true that this thread has gone on for 4 years?  The date of the OP is 7/11/2014.  And during this time the picky milpai has rejected all suggestions for one reason or another.

db

Why not a  SS passive with OpAmp on board? I love my Hattor but it does not have an OpAmp, which I  need for impedance matching to my amp XLR provides ~ 6dB more gain

@milpai  Consider an Atmasphere MP-3 (new or used) has everything you are looking for, I bet you would be amazed!

@jnovak ,Thank You for the feedback. Recently another forum member has paired the XP-20 with a Proac and seems very content.
@dbphd ,Yes, it has been 4 years and in between I stopped my search and upgraded my loudspeaker. It took 2 years to finalize a GREAT pair. Picky - you bet I am. I visited dozens of showrooms and a few audio shows to finalize a pair of speakers. What made you think I rejected all the suggestions? I have not yet picked any preamp. I am super picky because once I invest I have to be satisfied to live with it for at least 8-9 years. My last speakers I had for 12 years, current preamp for almost 10 years. You buy on impulse? I suggest that you ignore this thread and move on.

@tweak1 ,I want to experiment with an active preamp. Been using a passive for the past 9 years. They are SUPER transparent and I am pretty happy. I don't hink I will sell my passive if I get the active. Just want to try out something different. You know the itch ;-)
@rsf507 ,While I am a bit considering tubes, that preamp has tons of tubes in it. The Backer Lab Rhumba is something I can consider, since it has 2 tubes and their access is also easy.

I just scored a used AA active dac/pre, but it hasn't arrived yet. The reviews are phenomenal, especially when adding the outboard power supply. Unfortunately this one did not, but, can be purchased. 

While I am a bit considering tubes, that preamp has tons of tubes in it. The Backer Lab Rhumba is something I can consider, since it has 2 tubes and their access is also easy.

@milpai Just a correction of fact, if you get the MP-3 as a line stage only, (like the Rhumba, which isn't balanced), then it has only 4 tubes total. The remaining tubes you are thinking about are for the optional phono section.

Ralph,
Thank You for the correction. Obviously I am not a tube guys and hence probably did not get that fact right, when I looked at the Specifications page. http://www.atma-sphere.com/Products/#MP-3
So I am assuming that it uses 2 x 6SN7GT and 2 x 12AU7 tubes? Yes, I don't have a TT, so no phono.
This would be interesting.

So I am assuming that it uses 2 x 6SN7GT and 2 x 12AU7 tubes?

Yes. It also has a fully balanced circuit internally.

tweak1, I've been running an AA for about 9 months now and love it. I use it as a DAC (not a preamp) with the optional power supply. Liked it so much I also bought their phono amp. It's all Very natural & open. 

Folks,After a couple of years of search, I have landed with the Rhumba 1.3. All I can say is - I love what this preamp is doing in my system. I am glad that I did not loose the "transparency" of my system. At the same time it added some dynamics that I love. While I never missed the "remote volume control" in the past 9 years, it is really nice to have that remote handy.