For the XA30, I would consider a Convergent Audio SL1 (pick your vintage)
Out of the ones you have listed, I would think a CJ pre would sound great with the XA30, but I like silver w/ silver, not silver and gold, but some may not care about such trivial stuff........I’ve heard the Zesto extensively and it is a wonderful preamp. I don’t think it’s in the same league as the CAT preamps.....I have heard that particular EAR and it’s a good preamp, but EAR’s service and support is suspect......I’ve heard bad things.....As to Aesthetix, I have a friend who had a Calypso and a Janus, he was plagued with small unexplained issues on both of them, like unexplained noise, ground loop issues, LEDs failing.....etc....I’d just steer clear of that brand.....he is now a Zesto dealer and has the Leto and couldn’t be happier.....but even he says my CAT Renaissance sounds a good deal better........when I bought the CAT it was 10K w/ phono and 8K without.....used ones come about every now and then.....mine will never be for sale....check hifi-shark for convergent.....there are a few really nice units around 2500 or so, you could have Ken Stevens do his magic for less than 5K and have something really special.....
Out of the ones you have listed, I would think a CJ pre would sound great with the XA30, but I like silver w/ silver, not silver and gold, but some may not care about such trivial stuff........I’ve heard the Zesto extensively and it is a wonderful preamp. I don’t think it’s in the same league as the CAT preamps.....I have heard that particular EAR and it’s a good preamp, but EAR’s service and support is suspect......I’ve heard bad things.....As to Aesthetix, I have a friend who had a Calypso and a Janus, he was plagued with small unexplained issues on both of them, like unexplained noise, ground loop issues, LEDs failing.....etc....I’d just steer clear of that brand.....he is now a Zesto dealer and has the Leto and couldn’t be happier.....but even he says my CAT Renaissance sounds a good deal better........when I bought the CAT it was 10K w/ phono and 8K without.....used ones come about every now and then.....mine will never be for sale....check hifi-shark for convergent.....there are a few really nice units around 2500 or so, you could have Ken Stevens do his magic for less than 5K and have something really special.....