Solid State Preamp to replace tube unit

I owned tube preamps for many years. CJ Premier 14, then I moved to Audio Research. My last ARC preamp was the Reference 3 and I loved it, but did not love having to pull it out of my system to change the tubes. 

I found a Pass Labs XP-30 (MSRP $16K) used for about $6K, so I jumped on it. The sound out of this preamp is every bit as clear and musical as the tube preamps. But it is pricey. However, Most people seem to be purchasing the two-piece (mine is a three-piece) Pass preamp for about $10K. Still expensive, but I wouldn't have any concern about buying one used. Pass makes very solid products. 

And I actually must admit that I like the Pass preamp more than the tube preamps I'd fallen in love with. I called my neighbor over to hear it and immediately he commented on the clarity of the new preamp and my system. It's an improvement.

I replaced an ARC Ref. 3 preamp with a Pass XP-30, which listed for $16K but I found a used one for $6K. Mine is three-units, one for power and the other two for each channel. However, they sell a two-unit XP-22  for about $10K that I have read is damn close to the XP-30.

First, let me say I loved my ARC Ref 3. It was a serious tube preamp in that it didn't have the over-blown bloom I've heard in other ARC preamps. I owned an LS 22 which sounded rich and wonderful to me at first. The midrange bloom seduced me. After owning it for a while, I realized that bloom obscured weak bass and somewhat shrill treble. The Ref 3 had all the seduction of the LS 22, but everything was balanced and nothing was weak or shrill. The reason I sold it was that I simply could not deal with changng tubes all the time. 

As much as I loved the Ref. 3, I have to say the Pass XP-30 is an improvement. It has clarity and transparency I haven't heard in any other preaImp. I might say that it disappears and lets the music come through unscathed. I hear my turntable and amp, but the preamp has no signature but clarity. I would highly recommend Pass.