Seeking Suggestions on Preamp Upgrade (CJ, Aesthetix, EAR)

If your specs are passive friendly, it's hard to beat the Tortuga LDR.

I have an Aesthetix Calypso which has worked perfectly since I purchased it. 

That being said I do not think it would be a good sonic match with your Pass amplifier. You shoudl match it with a Pass preamp. I think Reno Audio has a trial program for Pass equipment.

Stewart0722, thank you for the warning.  I did notice there were some complaints about noise pop up here and there.  Most of them I noticed were about 10 years ago when the Aesthetix came up.  I don't know if it is still the case today.  When did those incidendents you described happen?  I will be worried if it is recently.

Jperry:

Thank you for the comment.  I wonder if you can elaborate a bit on Aesthetix and Pass mismatch.  I would like to have some tube sound to my system.  Everything I have so far is solid state so far.  I have been trying different cables to warm it up, and have made progress.  I hope rely on tube preamp to substantially improve the warmness of the sound.

davidhe19audio-

Conrad Johnson & Pass Labs are a sonic match. The Act2 Series2 is very sweet. Additionally, I have heard the ET-3SE-very sweet as well.

I have always wanted to demo an ART(2/3) and ET-5. It is my short -list.
I have not auditioned any CJ pre-amp w/ Pass Labs, only read about their inherent synergy.

Keep me posted, mention your dealers/retailers all.
Happy Listening!