Help selecting a new preamp

At your price level the Linear Tube Audio Micro ZOTL is definitely worth a serious look. Teajay (a member here) did a nice review of it on 6moons, and he preferred it to the Backert Rhumba (not sure which version) and every other preamp he’s heard. I’d also second the Don Sachs preamp, which would be less than half the cost of the LTA pre. Both would be a huge upgrade over the Outlaw (as would the Backert for that matter). Best of luck.

The  Primaluna Dialogue Premium is a good suggestion.  Very musical and sweet sounding.

For $5K I can build you something special to try out.  See my system for the preamp I offer.

Happy Listening.

Maybe ask Bob Carver, but my guess is he will tell you to find a Sunfire Stereo Pre, which is just about impossible now.

I will jump on the Schiit Freya wagon. I am using the Freya S now to replace my longtime Adcom GFP-750, which was considered by many to be one of the most transparent preamps ever made. In comparison to the Adcom, the Freya in active mode has far better imaging, with just a hint of glare in the upper midrange, likely because it only had a few hours on it (a week later it is gone). I hear no grain or other shortcomings in the Freya. If you like tubes try the Freya +. The Freyas are also fully balanced.

For reference I am using a Schiit Gungir MB DAC, Sunfire Stereo Amp (rebuilt by Bill Flanery last year) and Magnepan 3.5s (rebuilt by Magnepan last year). I have no urge to change my amp, but if I did, it would be for the Carver tubes.  

Audio Note M5,M6.