To preamp or not to preamp???

I have been lookig for a tube preamp to mate with my Pass Labs X-250. There are several I would concider, the Supratek middle of the liine model, Thor 1000, and maybe a Joule new 150. Today I placed a friends modded Metronome tube CDP direct into the Pass X-250 bypassing my preamp and now I am thinking of replacing my Sony SCD-777ES with a better CDP with volume control first, there are several that have been discussed on Agon, Wadia, AA, RA Opyus 21, Accuphase, Cary, Levinson.

So what is your recommendtation for me:

1. Get a better CDP with volume control to run direct for now until I can get more funds to get a really good preamp?

2. Get a really good preamp and then repalce the Sony when I can afford the upgrade?

3. Or, I could probably get a really good preamp now and also get my Sony CDP modded by Richard Kern ($1000 available funds for a mod on the Sony) as a third option until I could save up for a better CDP.

Thanks and Happy Listening.