Need advice replacing my preamp

@Atmasphere thank you for the explanation. I agree with you. Lets see how the cables work. BTW if I connect the output of my DAC it is quiet. I get the noise with out even turning the preamp on!

Ralph knows his stuff, BUT, 'my' personal experience running 100% true differentially balanced systems is that "I" have heard the difference between 0.5M XLRs and 1.0M XLRs from the SAME company: Eichmann Express Copper. Now that was ~ 10 years ago but I never tried it with other XLR cables

Hopefully R will chime in

The question is, if you are looking for fully balanced or a preamp with XLRs.  Fully balanced, I would add Rogue to your list.  The RP7 is fully balanced and at $5K is a great value.  Rogue will give PS Audio a run for their money in terms of customer service. 

If you don't need fully balanced, the KR P-135 is a really cool preamp.  45 based, delivers detail and a massive soundstage.  

There are outstanding reviews of both.  The Rogue is $5K.   The KR lists for $6200 I think.  

Full disclosure, I am a KR dealer.  I have no affiliation with Rogue other than the fact that I happily own a Hydra.  

'my' personal experience running 100% true differentially balanced systems is that "I" have heard the difference between 0.5M XLRs and 1.0M XLRs from the SAME company: Eichmann Express Copper. Now that was ~ 10 years ago but I never tried it with other XLR cables

@tweak1 @jimbones  If the equipment does not support the standard, you'll be hearing differences between cables. That is also why you see so much disagreement about the value of balanced operation.

@atmasphere  I agree, I am trying to rule out the cables first. BTW I should have clarified that I would like to go Solid State and fully balanced over time. The idea is as I am getting older I dont want to futz with tubes and noise issues so I want to position myself with equipment that will give me that reliability and low noise. Thanks.