$10k will just about get you into a used Audio Research Ref series fully balanced pre.
The SQ has been excellent on the three AR preamps I have had.
Looking for a preamp with XLR connections
Looking for a reference preamp with XLR inputs and outputs. Looking to spend less than 10k, no tubes. Any suggestion? Thought about the schitt Freya+, but audio science review just review it, and the measurements were aweful.
Thank you for your recommendations.