I asking for suggestions in choosing a pre-amp [that won't "break the bank".

What is your budget for a pre or DAC?

Eric, budget is $2.5 to $3.5K.....thanks again for your suggestions.

In that price range, new I’d recommend Mytek or Schiit. Both very good, and relatively immune to source quality. Meaning if you use your Oppo’s digital outs they’ll still sound good.

I like Berkeley Audio Design but they are pricey and sound a bit cool to me.

Ayre QB-9 is great, but quite source sensitive, even via USB. Some other listener has confirmed it's still the case. You don't know this until you do a back and forth test with a Schiit or Berkeley. Sounds great with their CD players though.

I would have more suggestions, but I haven’t been listening in too long a time.

The Oppo 105 has USB outputs, so any DAC that has USB 2.0 support AND is "driverless" for Linux/OSX will work by the way. :) That’s your best sounding option.

Eric, my thanks for your input.  

Does anyone one have any experience with Wyred 4 Sound's Dacs?  Specifically, DAC-1 LE or DAC-2 Series?

Find yourself a used Bel Canto Pre3 and you will smile. $900 to $950 and it is very good indeed. No need to spend more. 

I owned it in between some big $$ tube preamps and it is the real deal.