Pass amp paired with audio research pre?

 Thank you, everyone, for the responses. Sorry for the late reply. I’ve been traveling for the last two days ( 23 hour drive from Spencer, Iowa to Beaufort, North Carolina! )

 Thank you for the discussion regarding input and output impedance. I learned something there! 

monoogan: 

If I understand correctly, you were running an x350 with a ref 5.  No issues with impedance.  What sort of music do you listen to? And how does it sound? What sort of speakers do you have? 

I really hope moving from the LS 16 to the Ref 5 will solve my concerns as i’ve always liked my Music Reference.  If not, a Pass amp may be the next step.

My system seems just a bit too polite. Right now, I am attributing that to the LS 16. If not that, thinking a more powerful  solid-state amp will help.

Could also be the transfiguration proteus as it seems pretty laid back too...?

@fanotunes, I would attribute the lifeless sound you hear to the LS-16 before the RM200 (I've owned both, and dumped the 16). Check into how ARC creates the balanced XLR outputs on the LS-16. Since the RM200 has true balanced inputs, you may as well feed it a true balanced signal (though it will accept unbalanced without modification or sonic penalty, says Roger Modjeski). In his EAR 868 (and in the 912), Tim deParavicini creates that pre’s balanced outs by way of transformers (standard in recording studio equipment). Though I don’t know it to be true, it may be that ARC does so with opamps, which is very common in consumer gear.

Why not pair a Pass pre with the Pass amp? Both are excellent pieces of equipment and should match well.

Thank you for your note.  Obviously an option to consider as well.  Had thought to stick with the tube preamp. Like the audio research stuff. But certainly in option to consider as well

Bdp24:

I suspect you’re correct. The LS 16 may well be the culprit.  The reference 5SE is supposed to have a more dynamic sound, and will hopefully resolve this for me. 

 Markcdaniel makes a good point in that may have to get away from the audio research preamp altogether. Audio  research does have its house sound which can be a bit un-involving at times.

 I have read some good reviews of the Ear products but have never actually listened to any.

 Trying not to add too many variables to the mix. Trying to take an incremental approach...?