Best 6NS7 Preamp for a Pass Labs XA25 amp

Another recommendation for Aric Audio! I have a pair of XA60.8 and use the very first Motherlode preamp from Aric. It bests any piece I had in the system prior! Call him.

Another recommendation for Aric Audio! I have a pair of XA60.8 and use the very first Motherlode preamp from Aric. It bests any piece I had in the system prior! Call him.

>> Cary SLP-98 tube preamplifier with good 6SN7s << is also a "fairly popular" combination according to Nelson himself in an email I received from him last summer. He indicating having several customers with this combo, fwiw.   

A good friend who bought my former tube amp was comparing over 30 days with his buddies loaner Pass XA-25 using his personal Cary Audio SLP-98 (with good vintage 6SN7s, and really good coupling caps) indicating he really liked the synergy with some of the Pass amps.  I plan to try it this year too just to test it to see how good it really is. 

Don Sachs 6SN7 Line Stage...  you can't do better and only <$2k.  Perfect pairing with the XA25.

It depends on your price range and what sound quality you want.  Not to insult anyone but to me the Rogue is OK sounding - basic design cheap parts - Cary a slight step above - the Aric looks like a bang for the buck design.

If you are looking for something that is reference quality - point to point wired - custom transformers - V-Caps - Shinkoh resistors - Khozmo Acoustics volume control - toroidal transformer in separate chassis, tube regulation - tube rectification, etc.  then send a message to me.

Happy Listening.