Budget? What kind of sonics are you trying to achieve? If you're interested in a tube pre I will note that I have my Pass XA30.8 paired with a VAC Ren MKV linestage. Great synergy with a smooth, liquid tubey Class A sound. With it's transformer-coupled outputs and fully differentially balanced circuit the VAC compliments the balanced design of the Pass amp very nicely. It's really about what sound you're trying to achieve.
Itching to upgrade preamp...
I'm thinking the preamp might be the weak link at this point... Today I'm using a Pass X0.2 preamp.
The rest of the setup:
Pass XA60.5
Audio Physic Avanti III
PS Audio DirectStream Sr (with bridge2)
PS Audio PerfectWave transport
All interconnects are Cardas Clear XLR. Speaker cables are Cardas Clear Beyond. Power cords are Cardas Clear to everything except amps, which is Clear Beyond. All power is through a PS Audio PP12.
I'm thinking i may want to try a tube preamp with this... although I'm open to solid state as well
The rest of the setup:
Pass XA60.5
Audio Physic Avanti III
PS Audio DirectStream Sr (with bridge2)
PS Audio PerfectWave transport
All interconnects are Cardas Clear XLR. Speaker cables are Cardas Clear Beyond. Power cords are Cardas Clear to everything except amps, which is Clear Beyond. All power is through a PS Audio PP12.
I'm thinking i may want to try a tube preamp with this... although I'm open to solid state as well