Help selecting a new preamp

What are you looking to improve upon over your current preamp, and what overall sound reproduction characteristics are most important to you?  Are you looking for tubes or solid state, or either?

rayburn_b OP
  I want to replace my Outlaw Audio 976 preamp with a stereo only preamp

You can trial a Schiit Freya for a couple of weeks, they are so versatile, best mechanical volume control going around, let's you select between tube, solid state in active modes, and you can go strait passive with it as many have found and liked.
It's also got remote and xlr or rca inputs and outputs.

  https://www.schiit.com/products/freya-2
or to save $300 just the solid state and passive Freya
  https://www.schiit.com/products/freya-s

Cheers George

Thanks all for suggestions....I'm looking to simplify and improve sound quality over my existing preamp.  I originally wanted to switch video with audio and the Outlaw had great reviews and it was priced reasonably.  But, I've had problems with the preamp and Outlaw was at times difficult to deal with.  Also, at 65 and long days working sound reinforcement  in my youth I'm not sure that I would be able to discern audio differences between the top tier preamps.  Simplicity, minimal signal path are goals...Grateful for all the help I'm receiving..

rayburn_b OP
I’m looking to simplify and improve sound quality over my existing preamp.

With your sources OPPO 103, a Shiit D/A (at <100ohms output impedance) and poweramp Carver Crimson 275 (at 100kohms inputimpedance). A Schiit Sys at $49 would be a great match, and be more transparent than your current preamp, couldn’t get more simpler.
https://www.schiit.com/products/sys

Cheers George

Well, to simplify the SYS just might do the trick. To improve sound it depends on what improvements are called for. 

I own a SYS, and it is truly simple, having only 2 inputs and single output with volume control.  As a passive the sonics of your system will be determined mostly by the other components. Not costly to try.

I also have a tube preamp in my main system, I enjoy the impact tubes bring to the sonics, more 'bloom and air'. There are many to choose from that retail for far under your 5K budget and would fit nicely with your other components. If wanting a tube pre, check out Brown Audio Labs, Quicksilver, Don Sachs, Jolida, and the aforementioned Schiit Freya to mention a few.