Looking for inexpensive preamp

I just A/B tested both the Freya+ and the Saga+ for a week in my system. I ended up sending the Freya+ back and keeping the Saga+. For my preferred music (female vocal, acoustic guitar, classical chamber, acoustic jazz/flamenco) there was nothing the Freya+ did sonically that the Saga+ didn't do equally well or better. I don't have long cable runs and my components are not fully balanced end-to-end. I also have just three sources: cd, streamer and line-in for room eq. so the Freya's versatility was overkill for me. Bottom line, I just kept selecting the Saga+ to stay on even when not actively testing and not the Freya+. Turns out that a little googling of blogs will tell you that some of the Schiit folks feel the same way. They built the Freya+ for those who require a fully balanced preamp but the Saga+ is the one they take home at night (so to speak). One theory is that the single tube results in a simpler circuit compared to four tubes and that sounds better because there is less going on. Who knows? I just like the Saga+ sound a little better.

there was nothing the Freya+ did sonically that the Saga+ didn't do equally well or better.

That maybe.
From a technical view point there is quite a difference in favor of the Freya in distortion, noise, output impedance, also the Freya has a 128 step volume control vs the Saga 64 and the Freya's power supply looks more sophisticated, and has two transformers.

Cheers George

The cheapest way is to purchase a nad amp or such with blown pa.
One with lots of inputs and control with the links to connect pre/power section.
Remove the links and use the preamp.
You will have a retro nad sound to blow your mind.
I love our disposable market!

luxman or arcam preamps will be much warmer than rotel which
can sound overly lively and bright like there is oil in the sound,i still like it in certain setups it's very fast and sounds nice like grado headphones very open and sweet.
iv'e auditioned a nad c352 after owning  arcam and rotel integrated amps,the nad is too polite. iv'e ended up with ifi itube as a tube preamp, arcam delta 120 power amp. so id'e recommend the ifi itube 2 350$

Try a used DeHavilland Ultravalve. Check out Kara Chaffee’s Dehavilland website. For years I had a greatly reviewed and very popular tube pre which met my needs. Bought a used Ultravalve and it truly took my system to a different level. Warm, detailed, more realistic sounding (cymbals sounded brassy) and acoustic guitar sounded great.