Threshold T-200. Help me choose a preamplifier


Good day, Colleagues!
Not so long ago, at an auction in Japan, I accidentally won the Threshold T-200 amplifier. I really wanted this brand, but I was looking for the T-800D model. But it turned out to buy this amplifier ... And now I am very tormented with the choice.
I spent two days on the internet looking for balanced amplifiers. Here is a list, is there anything on this list worth seeing?
Pass Labs X1 - 
This preamplifier is sold in Russia at a very good price, it seems to me. 1800 dollars. But I do not know his condition. The photographs show that the cable that connects the power supply and the preamplifier itself is frayed. And the power supply is not complete, but a small black box.
Pass Labs X2.5 - I found this preamp for 2000 euros in Croatia, but shipping will cost around 500 euros, so it is already very expensive for me. 
Black Ice F-360 - A very interesting preamplifier. The ad suggests that this preamp has very high detail and can expand the scene. :) But I don't believe in advertisements.
Leema Acoustics Pyxis ll -  This amplifier is quite expensive, I found it in my country for $ 2500 and this is a showcase sample. It has an impressive range of features, there is a phono stage, which I also need, and balanced inputs and outputs.
Electrocompaniet ec 4.7
Electrocompaniet EC 4.8
Krell KSL-2
Audia Flight Pre
Quad Artera Pre
Rotel RC-5000
Audio research LS-15
audio research LS-2B
Spectron Model 10
Audio research LS 17
BAT VK-30
McIntosh C2200 - But this is already very dear to me.

I really look forward to your help and advice in choosing.

vetusto

Showing 4 responses by laaudionut

Pass amps are fantastic! His preamps, in my opinion (and I have owned two) are anemic and not very musical.
I went from Pass Labs preamps to Aric Audio's original Motherlode preamp and could not be happier! Work with Aric at Aric Audio, he will build you a beautiful sounding and looking preamp to pair with the Threshold amp. I have a Coda Model 16 amp and the combination is sublime!
The OP appears dead set on a Pass Labs preamp, despite many suggesting otherwise for a multitude of reasons. Allow him to learn first hand as we have all have(unfortunately) done in our individual pursuit of audio nirvana.
You are not sounding harsh, and your English is far better than many of the native English speakers that haunt this forum. I am merely suggesting that the Threshold is a fine solid state amp amp that might be a better candidate for a moderately priced tube amp than a solid state Pass preamp. As mentioned, I have heard many and and owned two Pass preamps, and I was underwhelmed to say the least. Lifeless, dry, sterile, and just un-musical, in my opinion. His amps...FANTASTIC, on the other hand! I also would not be too concerned about using balanced over RCA. Just because a piece of gear utilizes XLR, does not always mean it is truly, "balanced". I use unbalanced cables from my Aric Audio Motherlode to my Coda 16 and I do not believe that I am missing anything in the sound quality.