Preamp choices:Short list

Hello Jim,
I used the Rouge RP7 with a pair of Esoteric MG20 speakers. These are not bass heavy speakers. But they are very good detailed speakers that physically disappeared when played through the Rouge RP7. What I was very excited about was it balanced the sound beautifully without the use of subs. I used these speakers through a Mark Levenson and a Hegel 390 integrated amps. With these two brands they lacked a balanced sound they lacked bass. With the Rouge RP7 the sound was perfect. That says a lot about this preamp. 

I would second the recommendation of the PS Audio BHK Signature preamp.  There is a link on this page for a video of Bascom H. King talking about balanced audio.  

https://www.psaudio.com/bhk-preamplifier/

Get something better VAC.

I wonder how rp9 compares against bhk and evo 400.

If the circuit is truly balanced than I think balanced is always better than single ended. However many designs are not truly balanced and then often single ended is better.

I could care less about what Frank Van Alstine says about anything. He has said so much in the past which is contrary to my personal experience in audio that he has no credibility with me. 

Big fan of Atma-sphere and Berning.