Recommend a Used Solid State Preamp for About $5k

Does anyone have any experience with the Pass Labs X.02? It is right at $5k used.

Nsgarch.....as you can see, I'm stedily creeping up the high end ladder....so yes I am going to get a pair of Pass X-600's to see how much they eclipse the four bi-amped Carver monoblocks in power, control and sonic purity.

If they don't eclipse the Carvers by a mile, I'll sell the Pass monos for what I paid for them. I can always use the Carvers for my home theater setup.

The best solid state preamp I've had was the Audio Research LS-10. When it was good..it was awesome. But on some recordings, it was missing a lot of information on music that I was very familiar with and that was very unsatisfying and it just annoyed the hell out of me to listen to a piece of music and it all wasn't there. Half of my recordings sounded awful on it.

I have $5k in my budget to try a used solid state pre to compare to the Ref 2. I'm not selling my Ref2 just yet. I want to compare it to a solid state unit in its price range to see if I like it.

The Ref2 has been excellent across the board, but I have never heard it compared to a solid state unit in its price range.....I just might like it better. Nor have I heard the Ref2 with amps higher up the food chain...like the Pass monos. Audiogon gives me the luxury to audition stuff and not get hurt too bad when I need to sell it if I decide not to keep it.

No offense taken about the Signal Cables, I know they can be improved upon. With a limited budget, my first priority has been with the preamp, now amps, then cables.

I'm never offended by the stuff I have....I go as far as my budget takes with me and I have to be content. But, I do keep meticulous notes of suggestions like yours, ...so when I get the dough and it's time to upgrade, I can refer to suggestions like yours when making my decision. So, thank you sir. I appreciate your comments and suggestions.

I had a Placette passive before, it was very good....my current ARC Ref2 mk2 eclipses it.

I'm looking to see if I can find a SS preamp that sounds better than the ARC Ref2 mk2 in the same price range. I'm not looking to change just for the sake of changing. If I can't find anything that I like better for $5k...the Ref2 stays and I'll be content. I'm not dissatisfied with it, I just want to see if I can improve upon it or find something I like better for just about the same price I paid for it...$5200.