I didn’t try another SS linestage, just some tubed ones, transformer based passive and direct from the source. I went with the Pass family synergy on this venture.Did you ever consider the coda F07x? Apparently according to Teejay at stereotimes its incredibly tube like and he actually preferred it over his XP30. He said it was as good as the ARIC audio motherload 2.
I sit hear listening to some music with some of your questions more in focus.. The SIT3 is very punchy and dynamic but low gain so Im using the upper range of the preamp and it totally quiet. I have good front to back , side to side imaging with life like flesh and blood sound, nothing is thin or too thick. My tube pre had a more forward, larger presentation whereas the XP22 has more life sized imaging.. sorry for my non reviewer lingo..