Preamp with XLR input under 1k?

Thank you for all recommendations.

Hegel HD 25 DAC offers its XLR output for best sound quality. It has a very good quality digital volume control. It has a preamp. It has XLR output but my power amp QSP has not.

How about if i use Cardas XLR/RCA adaptor and save some money for good preamp? Is it effect sound quality?

There is a Primare P30 on Audiogon now for $995.00.
It is truly balanced and has a nice digital display.
I like it better than the Adcom GFP750 I used to own.
This preamp was designed by James Bladelius, formerly of Threshold.

Used Bel Canto pre3 is a nice choice.

I posted a similar query a couple of years ago and a Kavent dealer popped out of the woodwork...perhaps the last Kavent dealer anywhere, and sold me a fabulous new balanced S-33 preamp for what I thought was a bargain price...and promptly went out of business. Damn fine preamp though...maybe this thread will cause 'em to pop up again! Before the Kavent appeared I did have an Adcom GFP 750 on my short list and it's worth noting they are (switchable) active OR passive...not unlike myself.

If you can find it the Vincent SA-93 is the preamp that the Kavent S-33 is based off of. They look very similar. I also own the Kavent S-33 and I really enjoy it with either a solid state or tube amp. I've got it paired now with a Jolida JD-502P and really like the pairing. The S-33/SA 93 also has a gain select button which I find rather useful. If a recording is too hot I can take it down a notch with the gain adjustment feature.