Preamp Gain issues with high efficiency speakers

As others have noted, you have too much system gain particularly with your speakers.  I have Devores, 93db claimed efficiency and a Zesto Bia 120, 60 watts per ch, 23db of gain and ended up going with a passive, resistor ladder setup so the pre is basically a volume control and source selector. 

It's possible that converting your amp to a 11X, i.e. triode and EL34s may be the ideal combination of less power and better quality sound.  I have an ARC CLassic 30 I use as back up to the Zesto.  Its input sesitivity is even higher than your CJ but less rated output and it matches up nicely in my system of passive pre and Devores.   Good luck!

@vair68robert I considered this was an issue I was experiencing with the SYS. It made no sense that the completely passive pre still had little control of the Low gain range. 

I ordered a Schiit Kara and it works perfectly.

In passive mode, I am really able to dial in the full range of gain/volume from very very quiet to very loud. Even in 1x gain mode, I have good enough control over the gain range.

When I engage the 12db gain mode, it's still good enough to use. 

Unfortunately, it just doesn't sound as good as my CJ Pre-amp. Not that I expected it would. It is transparent and quiet, but it lack the warmth and musicality of the CJ. 

I am going to play around with other Passive Preamps, looking at the Khozmo and Luminous Audio Axion. 

Thank you everyone for your help!

I can’t recommend the Hattor Audio preamp enough. It is the upscale version of the Khozmo preamps built by Arek Callas.

I am a Luminous fan, and have much respect for Tim Stinson, the head honcho there. Properly matched with your amp and speakers, the Axiom Walker mod units are ime, the most transparent of them all. My best, MrD.

This high efficiency setup seems a mismatch to the power amp. It seems like a low power SET would be everything the Zus would need and that your C-Js are better suited to a less efficient speaker.