Greg,
Here's a solution that I used and since you need a pre-amp, it would work for you and is pretty clean.
I used the EVS Ultimate Attenuators as a passive pre-amp. ($250 new - around $100-150 used depending on age and condition) I don't know of another product with a shorter, cleaner signal path. (I have no interest in them and none to sell either...just trying to give good info)
Connect the EVS directly into the back of an active x-over. (I used the Paradigm 30) 1 pair (use 1m or shorter here) of i/c's from your CD to the EVS. And from the x-o, run 1 pair of i/c's to the main amp (it goes through the high-pass on the x-o and there are positives from this) and then 1 i/c to the sub (assuming only 1 sub, you can use 2 subs with the P-30).
I got more detail and resolution with this set-up than through any active pre that I tried.
The x-o also acts as a buffer and from there, you can use longer i/c's to both the main amp and sub, if needed. I'm pretty sure I'm correct on that last comment. Anyone please correct me if I'm wrong or confirm if right?
Good luck
Here's a solution that I used and since you need a pre-amp, it would work for you and is pretty clean.
I used the EVS Ultimate Attenuators as a passive pre-amp. ($250 new - around $100-150 used depending on age and condition) I don't know of another product with a shorter, cleaner signal path. (I have no interest in them and none to sell either...just trying to give good info)
Connect the EVS directly into the back of an active x-over. (I used the Paradigm 30) 1 pair (use 1m or shorter here) of i/c's from your CD to the EVS. And from the x-o, run 1 pair of i/c's to the main amp (it goes through the high-pass on the x-o and there are positives from this) and then 1 i/c to the sub (assuming only 1 sub, you can use 2 subs with the P-30).
I got more detail and resolution with this set-up than through any active pre that I tried.
The x-o also acts as a buffer and from there, you can use longer i/c's to both the main amp and sub, if needed. I'm pretty sure I'm correct on that last comment. Anyone please correct me if I'm wrong or confirm if right?
Good luck