“I had an iFi Phono2 preamp in my setup and it just stopped working one day, with less than 40 hours of listening on it. It was the day after Christmas and we had company inbound for New Years. I read about the new XRM and a few reviews that gave it high praise for a sub $1k preamp, which was in my budget range. I wanted the JC3 JR, but also didn't want a divorce. What I like about the XRM is it gives me the option for balanced connectors when I replace my preamp processor, and it has controls in on the front panel.
The real measure is the sound. It could have been a defect with the iFi device, but the XRM sounds much cleaner and crisp to me. Disclaimer is that I don't have audiophile ears that can hear a gnat fart, but as a regular guy who likes acceptable hifi sound, Parasound delivers huge for a b-player like me. I typically don't like being the first to buy a newly released product, but so far so awesome with this one.
BTW, kudos to Audio Advisors for getting this item delivered to me in one day to avoid a holiday disaster.”
