Preamp suggestions, yes again

I’d consider the Quicksilver Remote Line Stage preamp. I say this because I recently tried their headphone amp as a preamp and it has outperformed every preamp I’ve used thus far, including my Schiit Freya Plus and my previous AVA Fet Valve CFR. And this is with new-production OEM tubes vs the expensive NOS tubes I have/had in the other preamps.

I can afford fairly expensive preamps but I’m always looking out for exceptional values. If only this Quicksilver headphone amp had additional inputs and a remote it would be the proverbial giant slayer. If you’ve ever read of the ability of gear to recreate the "air surrounding the performers," well, this QS piece does that when serving as a preamp, and oddly, it’s more noticeable than when it’s driving headphones.

If their Linestage preamp is 90% as good then it’s a top-value item.

Also, with Quicksilver, you won't have to wait for months to receive your preamp, and listen to excuse after excuse for why your order is being delayed as you would if you go with one of the brands you're considering. 

You want to save a bundle.Then check out ,Xhiang Sheng pre amps.

Save yourself a lot of money and consider a Parasound Zpre3, with HT pass-thru (easy mating with your Onkyo if going to use for HT), tone controls, remote, etc. No phono stage or DAC, so you pay for neither of those. A great value and very good sound IMO.

You will be pleasantly surprised how much better 2 channel sounds getting your AVR out of the chain for music.

Linear Tube Audio MZ2

Whichever pre you go with will be an enormous upgrade. You are making a very good move picking out a new preamp.