Watercourse, I neglected to acknowledge the pertinent info you gave regarding low volume capabilities (or not) of the X-1 when in your system. Sure there are variables involved , source output ,etc. What you have conveyed though would seem to be in line with the info re/ volume control graduation of the X-1 and the X2.5 of which the manual, if I recall correctly, refers to a 3db volume increment in the X2.5. I came back to check this post and realized again that these earlier Pass pre's may not lower to barely audible setting. When checking specs of volume control on many of the $2k plus preamps older and newer production it is often note that a .5 db increment is available.