What is wrong here.. on Audiogon?

I’d approach pairing a passive preamp or other unity gain preamp with the XA25 with caution, as its gain is somewhat on the low side (spec’d as 20 db; measured by Stereophile as 20.4 db). Stereophile measured the XA25 as being capable of supplying 80 watts into 8 ohms. It can be calculated that for an amp having a gain of 20.4 db to be driven to an output of 80 watts into 8 ohms an input of slightly more than 2.4 volts is necessary. Without a preamp supplying additional gain you won’t get there with the vinyl-based source you mentioned in the other thread, even with the volume control at max. And even with a digital source you would find yourself setting the volume control at or near max to drive the amp close to 80 watts, should that be necessary on the musical peaks of some recordings. That being especially likely to be an issue with recordings having wide dynamic range, such as many classical orchestral recordings.

On the other hand, though, with your Zu speakers you may never need the amp to supply anything close to 80 watts. But I would consider this issue carefully before proceeding down that path.

Regards,
-- Al

Personally I wouldn’t characterize a relatively light-hearted thread about a matter that is essentially inconsequential, that involves individual preferences, and that has no right or wrong answer, as "anti-intellectual" and "dumb," or even as being objectionable in any way. And others have provided good explanations above as to why that thread is receiving many more responses than your preamp thread.

All of which, IMO, does not amount to anything being "wrong here." To the extent that something is wrong here, IMO, it is mainly how the personalities of some members come to the fore in threads about controversial matters that could well be discussed on an intellectual level, and cause those threads to devolve into unconstructive, unpleasant, and nonsensical exchanges. Such as threads about certain controversial tweaks, for example.

BTW, I use a DEQX HDP-5 as my preamp with my XA25, but I haven’t responded in your preamp thread because it’s a whole different thing than a conventional preamp, its use involves a very substantial learning curve, and it wouldn’t meet your stated budget.

Regards,
-- Al