Need help with tube linestage-SF vs ARC vs Others

You might also consider a Convergent Audio (CAT) SL-1 Signature preamp. They can be had within your price range. I used to own the CAT SL-1 Mk. III, and found it to be an excellent component. It is very well extended at the frequency extremes and very neutral for a tubed amplification component.

The VTL 2.5 seems to fit your needs for everything except its not balanced. Very detailed with a touch of bloom/warmth in the upper bass and midrange. It has HT bypass, a remote and 2 outputs (for subwoofer). But maybe the BAT mentioned above would suit your needs better.

The LS 16 mk 1 (not mk 2) has lots of bloom. It is a very good sounding piece.... The mk 2's use 6h30 tubes that are faster, cleaner, and more dynamic, but do not have nearly the bloom the mk 1's using 6922 tubes..... If you are looking for bloom, stick with the 6922 tubes....

Modwright 9.0SE. Does not have balanced but does have HT bypass. Reviews will becoming out soon but if you wait until the reviews hit you will be on a waiting list. Dan has made a killer preamp.

I am VERY happy with my LS 16 MKII. It is very, very good. However, how it interacts with your system is anybody's guess until you try it. It worked wonders with mine. It elevated my Maggie 3.6R's to a level I did not know they could attain. The dynamic life that the MkII allows music to express is breathtaking. A definite step in the direction of a "you are there" type of realism. If "bloom" is defined as bringing you closer to feeling the breath of living vocalists and instruments, the MkII has it in spades. If you mean a warmer, lusher, tubier, rounder, euphonic sound, no. I've heard the Calypso and I think it would give it a good run. The Calypso is also not "tubey" sounding in the traditional sense. It is simply very neutral. I wouldn't hesitate to compare them. My previous linestages included the ARC SP-14. I can't speak for the BAT or Sonic Frontiers units.