+1 rhljazz for the Freya or at half the price the Saga, but it's single ended, no need for balanced unless the interconnect runs are over 8mts. It's the Schiit. Could even beat the OP's reference preamp.
How about the Schitt Audio Freya for 699.00. It can be used as a passive, tube output or solid state. It has balanced outputs and remote as well. I have not heard one, but spec and price would make it perfect for a backup preamp.
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