Balanced Passive Pre Amp

I own both the Khozmo and Goldpoint units discussed previously here and IMO, the Takeman REY metal film and Vishay Z-foil resistors used in my Khozmo passive sound better than the slightly dryer sounding SMD resistors used in the Goldpoint unit. Both units are very clear and detailed sounding.
The balanced Khozmo model with only one input (and two outputs) is $379 (Caddock resistors) and you can add remote control for $200. I know this is more than you want to spend but IMO it would give you a more flexible, and better sounding, solution as well as remote control if you want it. For $20 more you can have a pair of inputs. I use mine (dual mono version with remote and display) in a moderately high end system and do not believe it is a limiting factor.
Of course, both the Khozmo and Goldpoint units are occasionally listed for sale used on this site or other sites at about 50-70% of the original list price.  Otherwise, you might try this for $235 - balanced, remote, display, and relay volume control (but I have no idea about the performance).

If you pay 5,000 dollars, you can get such a self-made machine. https://page.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/335310604
Perfect full balance (600Ω: 600Ω). It is equipped with four ancient daven attenuators.

Hello tmac1700. You need the output of the preamp to be balanced, right? Not the inputs, right? Does your DAC have RCA phono plug outputs? If not, you may have to revert to adapters. You could add transformers to the output of the passive preamp. There's probably room in the box because there isn't much to a passive preamp. Any decent tech could do the job. Something like 10k to 50K primary and balanced output, 500 ohms to 2Kohms center tapped. Jensen will have something like that. You will lose a lot of voltage though. If you need balanced inputs on the passive preamp, that could be a real problem. Think about a good used preamp with balanced ins and outs. Good Luck!

 I use these attenuators from EVS and I recommend them highly. Can you access the back of the speaker easily? If so perhaps you could plug in directly to the speaker eliminating one pair of interconnects.  I am using mine between a balanced DAC and a balanced amp (both Benchmark). http://tweakaudio.com/EVS-2/custom_modsultimate_attenuators.html These are more expensive but there are probably less expensive options as they are made to suit each client.

@mitch2


+1 for Kuzmos
I owned one for a while and hated to part with it, but got a great deal on a Audio Alchemy DDP- 1 (dac/pre) and couldn't afford to keep it