I have listened to the full CJ lineup up through the 16LS.
The answer to your question depends upon how much difference you are willing to pay for. The 17LS is the minimum I felt able to settle for in the CJ line. Once I heard it, I was only aware of what was missing in lesser CJ's. However, the 16Ls did not represent as large a step up from the 17 as the 17 was above everything else.
I have not heard the Pass Labs X1.
The answer to your question depends upon how much difference you are willing to pay for. The 17LS is the minimum I felt able to settle for in the CJ line. Once I heard it, I was only aware of what was missing in lesser CJ's. However, the 16Ls did not represent as large a step up from the 17 as the 17 was above everything else.
I have not heard the Pass Labs X1.