Pre-amp or cd direct to XA30.5 ?

"02-21-14: Fsyme
I did some reading online and looks like my XA30.5 has max voltage at 0.77V. Wadia can set to 0.5V or 1.1V. To achieve max performance, better setting the wadia to .5v for 100% vs 1.1v"

There's more to it than that. Bit loss is only one of several factors to consider. For example, I have a pair of Wilson speakers I sometimes use. They're very efficient. If the gain on the Wadia is set too high, I get a hiss. Its a very common problem with efficient speakers. Other factors that will determine your overall gain settings are how loud you like to listen and how big your room is. You just have to experiment and find the best setting that works for you. Its also very easy. It shouldn't take you more than a few minutes to find out where you need to be.

If you can match the source to amp properly that has a good volume control, mated to a tube/solid state Hybred or just a tube player to a good solid state amp,, I can tell you that my findings is the source direct to amp is the best I have heard, mated with some very good cables, It's a done deal.

Ive around $2k right now.. and saving. Any advise on a good preamp other than pass X2.5 or X1.. (if i can find)?

"02-24-14: Fsyme
Ive around $2k right now.. and saving. Any advise on a good preamp other than pass X2.5 or X1.. (if i can find)?"

I had the X2.5. Didn't care for it. A preamp is a very important and personal choice. Its hard to give advice on something like that. That said, if you have a chance to listen to an Ayre K5, do so. Its great all around and should be pretty close to what your budget allows if you can find one used.

Anyone tried PS Audio perfectwave MKII with pass labs direct and running as digital. I've never heard a dac system, but sounds appealing in theory.