Budget preamp recommendation...besides Schiit.

@tunehead @kota1 

I agree with the Parasound 200 option. I ran the small form factor Parasound ZPre3 in my main rig for a while and was pretty impressed. For the money, I think hard to beat, and the 200 should be a step-up to that, but didn’t really need the options it provided over the ZPre. It’s now in my bedroom system after investing in my Belles Aria Signature Pre at about 7x the cost.

You already have more options that you can sift through, but let me add a vote for the Rogue RP1. With used examples under $1k, it's a truly fantastic preamp for the money. 

And if your budget would be happier at half of that amount, find a used Freya S. Highly transparent, choice of gain including passive, fully balanced if that's important. Can't imagine getting more for your money. 

If you can find one, McCormick TLC-1

Schiit Kara?? 😉

One thing forsure , never buy a preamp with a cheap round silver Alps volume pot 

or bournes, a stepped ladder resistor type or relay , if you are using a remote 

if not at least a resistive ladder type to get the most out of your audio system.