Preamp under $2,000 used

I'd look at Audio Research SP-6a's, 6b's, and SP-8's.  Have their caps and critical resistors upgraded to modern high quality ones, and be happy for a long, long time.  This can be done for under $2000, and if you have or plan to add phono gear, these are an even greater bargain as the ARC phono preamps of this era were superb (although MM only).

If you can read (I presume you can), study a bit of electronics and build your own using LM4562 and a few other parts. You will save $2k and build something you can be proud of.

kalali
"I am looking for a neutral true to the music sound.."
I also wouldn’t rule out a passive preamp if you can find one to fit into your system.

+1 on the passive for neutrality and dynamics, this is why Wolf and I both love the Schitt Freya.
As it’s everything, and got everything, passive, active tube, active solid state, xlr,se, remote and the best volume potentiometer you can get. all for $699
If you can’t find the perfect match with this, then something in the rest of your system has a big problem.

Cheers George

Georgehifi and I should at least get free t-shirts from Schiit…I haven't "auditioned" piles of preamps and the one the Freya replaced is a serious dual mono Kavent/Vincent beast, but I like tubes, and the Freya certainly "seems" to work really well. Interestingly, switching between the passive/FET/tube modes via the remote keeps everything honest in a way I like...

My favorite preamp is from Don Sachs.  It is by far the most musical preamp I have ever had.  I previously had CJ, HK, Berning, Modwright, Belles, and a few others I know forget, and the Don Sachs preamp is clearly the best.