Itching to upgrade preamp...

I'm going to try a PSA BHK. I know the synergy with the DS is there, and I think it could be a good match to the Pass XA60.5's as well.

@drrsutliff the more I read about the VAC the more intrigued I get. I may need to find a place to listen to it

I am going to agree with @three_easy-payments suggestion of the VAC Renaissance V.  I use the transformer coupled balanced outputs to drive an Ayre VX-5/20 with excellent results.  The phono section that is an option is also excellent. 

There are balanced line tube preamps out there.

Be advised that most high end audio products don't support the balanced line standard even though they are balanced. If they support the standard, things like ground loops go away and audible cable differences are minimized. When the standard is not supported you can still have ground loops and you may have to pick the right cable to get the system to sound right.

+1 Sachs SP14 preamp May well provide those tube attributes you mentioned.  He offers a two-week trial period, which is obviously a big plus.  Downside I there’s probably a wait until you can get one.  Best of luck in your search.  

Lots of very interesting suggestions! I guess I need to find a bunch of dealers within driving distance and simply test them out.

The test with the PrimaLuna EVO400 (yes, I ran it fully balanced... just swapped the cables from my X0.2 and also grabbed the power cord, so about as equal as you can get) gave me new appreciation for the Pass pre... it's pretty good, but I wish it could give just a bit more space and maybe a smidgen of "tube glow"

Since you get as many recommendations as you do responses, I will throw mine in the ring. I highly recommend the latest version of the Don Sachs Model 2 preamplifier. Hard to believe you can get sound this good for so little $$.

Oz

Rogue RP-7.

Croft

If you have a balanced line amp, I would go with a balanced preamp. The cables will perform better and the amplifier will too.

So I spent a bit of time yesterday with PrimaLuna EVO400 preamp and although decent, it just didn't add anything tangible. Maybe a bit of warmth, but the amps felt anemic with it. Not a good match. Also tested the EVO 400 amp with it and that doesn't agree with the AP Avanti III. They sounded glorious on my friends AP Virgo II's.

I'm guessing that I just need to try a few different pre's to get an idea of what works...

@soix about 8 feet. The speakers are well out in the room. If I move them further back towards the back wall, they loose the disappearing act that Audio Physic are famous for.

How far are the fronts of your speakers from the back wall?

I am with georgehifi, on this. Passive is the way ( has been for me ). However, I understand the addition of a gain stage / extra circuitry, with the " drive ", " color " ( could be distortion ), that people like. It is all about " what you like ", as there really isn't a right or wrong. Besides, all of this, is quite dependent, on the particular recordings we listen to. Some, admittedly, can use some help...others, not.

The Luxman CL38U C is in this price range. The late Art Dudley rated favorably w/his Shindo. It was also rated Class A on the Tube Preamp listing. A big bonus is the phono section. Worth auditioning, if you can.

I used to go direct from the DS Sr to the XA60.5, but inserting the preamp added quite a bit more space and drive.

Sorry but it’s impossible, for the XA60.5’s 1.1v input sens, 30khom input impedance to "load down" and reduce the "drive" from the output of the DS Sr’s 3v 100ohms output impedance. All a pre can do in this case is add coloration/distortions, as well as the extra set of interconnects
Even Paul McGowen has said so  "The ability to eliminate the preamplifier in the system without any resolution loss is a major benefit to DirectStream’s outstanding musical performance."  

Going through the P12 the XA60.5 yes it looses a bit of low end slam

And this is telling you something that Nelson Pass would even object about.

There are other things you need to look at "if" both these so called apparent "fixes" are better to you.

Cheers George

I would look seriously at the PS Audio BHK pre BUT you have to get different tubes.  The stock PSVanes were horrible.  I had NOS Tunsgrams that were amazing.  

It is balanced, will come in on budget with the trade or below budget if you buy used even with the NOS tubes.  
I upgraded from the BHK but my system is entirely single ended now.  I was using VTL Monos and had the DSD with Bridge II.  
I run all Art Audio gear (I am the importer) and moved to Chord for my digital.  My Conductor is 100% a better preamp in a single ended system than the BHK but in yours which is balanced, the BHK will be pretty great. Another perk is that it uses the same remote as the DSD. 
Two other options, the McIntosh C22.  Brilliant pre and it just is begging to have a turntable added to it.  The phono stage is obscenely good.

The ARC LS27/28...whichever you can fit in your budget.  Darn good preamp for the money and would work supremely well in your system.  
I have run the DSD direct into power amps previously and found it to be a significant step down in quality from a separate pre.  

@audiojan you may want to consider a Lamm Industries LL2.1 Deluxe preamplifier.  New Audio Frontiers Amati is also worth checking out if a remote is important.

Cheers,
Colin

Lamm Industries dealer
https://gestalt.audio

@georgehifi I used to go direct from the DS Sr to the XA60.5, but inserting the preamp added quite a bit more space and drive. I do think the preamp is necessary to get the most out of it. Not that the DS is bad, just that the X0.2 is better.

Going through the P12 does actually improve the XA60.5. Yes, it looses a bit of low end slam, but it gains in terms of imaging. It's trade off that I can live with.

@oldears Maybe you're right... it could very well be that the X0.2 is not the limiting factor. Only way to find out is to demo some other pre's (trying a PrimaLuna EVO400 today). As to the room, not much can be done with the layout. It's a dedicated room, but I can't "turn it 90deg" as it would be too short. There's a mixture between acoustic panels and acoustic diffusers. I used to own a recording studio, so I'm quite familiar with acoustics to how to get the most out of the room (wouldn't call myself an expert, but knowledgeable enough not to screw it up too badly).

@d2grils I'm not sure a passive preamp would achieve anything... that would be just like driving the amps directly via the DirectStream Sr... does sound good, but you do lose drive and space.

You owe it to yourself to try Nelson Pass' B1 passive preamp.

You have a fine system. The Pass X0.2 is a great preamp. If you just want to change call Wayne Colburn to see if you can get some synergy to the XA60.5 with the Pass X20 or later. Changing the X0.2 will not improve your imaging. I would suggest to redo your room setup and room treatment.

PS audiojan OP:

Also to try what I posted above, try putting everything through the  PS Audio PP12  except for the XA60.5.

In every A/B experiment I've done with conditioners and power amps (especially Class-A) they always sound better direct into the mains.

As any conditioner will have some sort of series impedance and this is a no no for an amps power supply if it's to remain nice and stiff. 

Cheers George

RP-7 comes in ~$5K
https://www.stereophile.com/content/rogue-audio-rp-7-line-preamplifier

audiojan OP
I’m thinking the preamp might be the weak link at this point... Today I’m using a Pass X0.2 preamp.

I would go direct, as it’s the most transparent, dynamic way with no coloration distortions from any preamp.

You can connect direct to the XA-60.5 using "balanced" interconnect.
And the PSA DirectStream Sr has nearly 3v output!! and Pass XA only needs 1.1v for full wattage output, as you can see you have too much gain already!! without adding even more from an active preamp as well.

From PS Audio
PS Audio DirectStream Sr Resolution perfect volume and balance controls

Designer Smith perfected a 100% bit-perfect volume and balance control that’s built into DirectStream, enabling users to control the output level when feeding directly into a power amplifier.

That the volume control is completely bit-perfect means there is no loss of resolution for any volume setting, a feature unique amongst the majority of DACS in the world today.

NB: The ability to eliminate the preamplifier in the system without any resolution loss is a major benefit to DirectStream’s outstanding musical performance.

Cheers George

Budget is pretty open. I would like to keep it at $5k (plus the trade in value of the X0.2), but a bit more is not out of the question. I'd rather spend money once on good stuff that will stay.

The VAC sounds like an interesting option!

I do like the overall sound right now, but it's lacking a bit in depth (as in depth of soundstage). The width is decent, although not perfect.

Budget?  What kind of sonics are you trying to achieve?  If you're interested in a tube pre I will note that I have my Pass XA30.8 paired with a VAC Ren MKV linestage.  Great synergy with a smooth, liquid tubey Class A sound.  With it's transformer-coupled outputs and fully differentially balanced circuit the VAC compliments the balanced design of the Pass amp very nicely.  It's really about what sound you're trying to achieve.