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

Jayne,. Thank U for your insight on the wired 4 sound DAC.  What DAC would your recommed that I consider?

I asking for suggestions in choosing a pre-amp [that won’t "break the bank".
foghorn1

This could be a winner, and it won’t break the bank for you. Released at the RMAF the new Shiit Freya.
Can be a
1: passive preamp
2: active preamp with tube output buffer
3: active preamp with J-Fet output buffer
Multiple switchable inputs and a remote as well, amazing for the price.

http://forums.stevehoffman.tv/threads/new-schiit-preamps-and-power-amp.605485/#post-15174897

PS: The poweramp looks interesting too.

Cheers George

pre-amps are usually about control functionality

what do you want it to do?

remote controls?

built-in DAC or not?

Then there is the likelihood that the company will exist in 5, 10 or 20 years and ... length of the warranty.  For both these last issues, there is one obvious answer and it starts with B

randy-11

what do I want it to do?  I'm not that sophisticated, but I believe one of the main results of a pre-amp is to sound as though "it is not even in the system".

remote control? Not really needed; less is more?

DAC built in?  Well, this is where I could also use a little help.  At the end of the process of buying a pre-amp; I wonder if I will want or need a DAC.  I wonder if most people add a DAC, it seems like they do.

Of course, the system that I am building is far from the prowess of many audiogon member's systems.  I really just want it to sound as good as possible with my budget that I can afford.  I am not the type of person who needs to keep upgrading my system every so often.

Thank you for your help and I do appreciate everyone's time and comments.  I'm certainly receiving a great deal of information from which I can research a decent/affordable buying decision.

Here's a bit of a sound review of those new Shiit products.

http://www.theaudiobeat.com/rmaf2016/rmaf2016_schiit.htm

Cheers George