Balanced preamp with HT pass-thru needed $2K


I just took the plunge on a mint Bryston 4B-SST2 PRO, and I need a preamp to mate with it. I'm replacing a Cambridge Audio 840a integrated amp. I use my system in conjunction with an HT rig, and take the L/R pre-outs from my little Yamaha receiver into my "good" system to watch movies, so ideally, I'd like my new preamp to feature HT pass-thru. It's probably not an absolute necessity if I can get better sound for the same $$$, especially since the Bryston has switchable (and variable) gain. I could probably get my HT rig to "play nice" at a reasonable spot on the volume knob. At any rate, 2-channel performance is by far my biggest concern.

I very much want to use the balanced inputs on the Bryston, so balanced outputs on the preamp are a must, along with at least one pair of balanced inputs, as my Cambridge Audio 840c CD player does better through the balanced outputs.

I am not against tubes per se, but the Bryston has a fairly low input impedance (20 Kohm in balanced mode), so a tube preamp must have very low output impedance to work. For this reason, I don't think passive preamps are on the table right now. Frankly, I would prefer a SS active preamp if at all possible.

Subwoofer outputs would be great.

My listening preferences lean towards:

-- absolute tonal neutrality
-- great imaging and soundstaging
-- great dynamics

i.e., great "everything" without undue coloration.

For $2K or less, what would you suggest? Gently used is fine. There is a Bel Canto e.one Pre-3 on A-gon right now for $1,100, and it seems to fit the bill. Any thoughts on that one? How about McCormack?

Anyway, I'm rambling. Thanks in advance!

jim
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I can live without HT bypass if the sonics are stellar. I just need to spend some time getting the gains right in the HT application.

My biggest fear, which I have encountered in the real world, is a situation where the required volume setting for HT is high relative to my normal listening levels for CD, etc. It's just too easy to flip the input selector switch over before cutting the volume, and speakers (and ears) suffer.
Bought the Wyred 4 Sound STP-SE preamp. We'll see how it works out. I'll sell it and try the Aleph P if it isn't what I need. Thanks for all the advice.
It's used -- hours unknown -- but it should be broken in. I also bought a set of Thiel CS2.4 loudspeakers, so I'll update my thoughts on the system once I get some time on all the new gear.

No scientific method here!