Help me choose

Thanks for that. I've been considering going to strictly two channel but hesitant. I was actually thinking on selling receiver and adding a used integrated. I hadn't realized the importance of a preamp.

Thanks!

I started out looking at the Doge 8 based on the bang for the buck factor...plus the stunning reviews online.
Anyway I bit the bullet and got the Thor ta-1000 for 2750.00. It had cap/wire/rca upgrades already and Thor has new ownership in Texas so maintenance is available. The owner Ted is about as nice a guy as you could ever deal w ith.
I would really think about what your goals are and take it one step at a time. I wish I could explain how different my system sounds. I went and listened to Sonus Faber Cremonas the other day just for kicks and their setup wasnt even in the same ballpark as mine. I even told him.
Guess what they were using some kind of high dollar processor as the pre. I kept talking so much about the Thor that he went and googled it on the spot.
My point is I wouldnt have known any better w/o hearing the difference from first hand experience. "reference"
The terms and lingo I read on this site didnt make sense to me b/c I didnt have what they were describing.haha
Like: "if it didnt sound good at first, why would you want more of it"...bigger amp,etc
Be patient.

This will fall firmly into the 'throw it out if you don't like it category.'
During design work, I always listened to female voices for eval (that's a starting and ending point).
I suppose it is because we know what the female voice sounds like, and colorations are more easily heard...that, and annoying little frequency anomalies seem easier to quantify on that type of recording.
A bit of sibilance here, a touch of chestiness there, a thinness in the upper middle, an aggressive presentation there.
If you can listen intently, focus on the material and make copious notes as to what's good and what's NOT GOOD, or even bad it will go miles to help you.
Remember, anything that's noticeable in a twenty minute session, becomes a major annoyance after ownership.

Hope that helps a little,

Larry