Preamp to mate with Pass 30.5

The Joule is worth a home audition, especially if you have good memories from a prior experience. IMO, the Joule and the Pass were perhaps more similar than different, and the combination went a tad too far into a rich and smooth presentation. While it did some interesting things, I ultimately found it dull for my tastes. I am sure that many will find such a combination quite pleasing. I have appreciated the BAT for providing a dynamic and clean synergy, also with low noise plus a balanced design. I think you are correct to worry about excess noise with the Pass and your very efficient speakers. Which is again why you should narrow down to 2-3 preamps, and do a home demo.

Now that I see your speakers. I would also get a few more suggestions on tubes. Good Luck, Tim

I like Conrad Johnson tube preamps with my 30.5 and 100.5's. I started with their CT-5, then ACT 2.2 and now their ART 2 and 3. I haven't heard but feel confident in recommending their older Premiere 16 and 17 if budget is a concern.

These are very pure in design: Just one gain stage, pure class A, no negative feedback and no cathode follower.

If I hadn't found these, the Joule would be on my short list.

Buy a used Pass Labs X1 or Xono (for phono)!

You will not regret it!

My Joule-Electra LA-300ME is absolutely silent. Plus you can have unity gain with it.

Regarding somebody's complain that J-E (what model?) is too smooth so its boring - it could or could not be with LA-150 and very early LA-300. Now, LA-300/450 have sparkiling (and very extended) silky highs which make sound even more exiting (for me).

BAT REX is very good too but not better then LA-300 and LA-450!