For the XA30, I would consider a Convergent Audio SL1 (pick your vintage)
Out of the ones you have listed, I would think a CJ pre would sound great with the XA30, but I like silver w/ silver, not silver and gold, but some may not care about such trivial stuff........I’ve heard the Zesto extensively and it is a wonderful preamp. I don’t think it’s in the same league as the CAT preamps.....I have heard that particular EAR and it’s a good preamp, but EAR’s service and support is suspect......I’ve heard bad things.....As to Aesthetix, I have a friend who had a Calypso and a Janus, he was plagued with small unexplained issues on both of them, like unexplained noise, ground loop issues, LEDs failing.....etc....I’d just steer clear of that brand.....he is now a Zesto dealer and has the Leto and couldn’t be happier.....but even he says my CAT Renaissance sounds a good deal better........when I bought the CAT it was 10K w/ phono and 8K without.....used ones come about every now and then.....mine will never be for sale....check hifi-shark for convergent.....there are a few really nice units around 2500 or so, you could have Ken Stevens do his magic for less than 5K and have something really special.....
