Exploring Preamp options for the Pass XA25

The Pass Labs are balanced. If you really want to take advantage of what it does (its distortion will be lower if provided with a balanced source), a balanced preamp is the better choice. What sort of budget do you have?

probably around $2500. The xa25 does not have balanced inputs. I think your right about everything else.

OK- I had to look that one up. With a 47K input impedance a large number of single-ended tube preamps will drive that with no worries. You already have some excellent suggestions in this thread. Do you need a phono section?

I have a musical surroundings nova phonomena and a musical fidelity LX LPS. I’ll let you be the judge.

Using the Pass XP10 with 250.8 a great combo, one should be available in your price range.