Preamp for Pass Labs XA30.5

Dodd Audio the battery powered Tube buffer, it sounds great I have heard it with the XA-30.5 sounds extremely good and for the money it is very hard to beat. The matching Labs XP-10, XP 20 are better but several times the costs of the Dodd.

I am using a Modwright 9.0 Sig ( make sure it is the Sig edition). You can get it used for $1500 and it is a great combo in my system. I have not compared it though to any of the other offerings mentioned above.

If you can find a Burson PRE-160 (used) it would be a nice match. Even on the colors, both are silver. ;)

The most rewarding experience for me with the XA30.5 is feeding direct from the PSA PWD. Same experience as Erndog wrote in the above post. Other than that my personal preference would be tube preamps.

Would you consider selling your amp and adding the $2k to buy a Pass Labs INT30.5? I think this is basically an integrated amp based on the XA30.5 and XP10. I have not heard it, but one advantage is having only one box. I have read a good review on the net.

Barring that option, I would consider an X-1. I used one with my XA100.5 before upgrading to the XP-20. It is not as good as the new XP generation, but it is within your price range and I have found Pass amps mate very well with Pass preamps.

There is also the FirstWatt B-1 buffer, though I would contact Pass to see if it is appropriate for your situation.