Looking for a preamp with XLR connections

A preamplifier  is basically  the system.  It has to let what the source  sends it through and not change it. A poor preamplifier  can never have a system  sound right. Shop lots listen  to as many as you can before you  buy  

The Bryston BR20 is a fully balanced design. Plus great customer service. It also comes w/a 20 year Warranty.

Ditto for Ayre preamps. I’ve owned an entry level K-5e for over 15 years using balanced inputs for my DAC, CD player (both also Ayre) and balanced out to my amp. Background is dead quiet even if you put your ear up to the speaker. Very detailed, neutral sound, with no harshness. I’ve auditioned the Ayre KX-R but with a different system so comparison not apples to apples. Have also auditioned newer Luxman (which I owned previously) and Bryston. Could recommend those as well, but prefer simplicity of Ayre products and lack of features I don’t need given my use of separate components. 

I, too, am in the market for a preamp upgrade, something in the $3K to $5K range.  I currently have a Rogue Audio RP-1 preamp, a Benchmark AHB2 power amp, and Fyne Audio F702 floor standing speakers, augmented at the lower end by a DEfinitive Technology Supercube 6000 carried over from my previous system.  My DAC is a Schiit Bifrost 2, for which I just ordered the “64” upgrade.  The sound is quite good, with excellent imaging, soundstage, and instrument definition, but I realize my preamp is a bit lower on the SQ scale than my power amp and speakers.  I also wonder if there would be any significant benefit going to XLR connections in a balanced preamp.  The Fynes are rated at 93 db efficiency, so I think I have sufficient amplifier power for our small/medium living room.

The Rogue preamps are tubed, so my thought is to stay with tubes, although I have read only very good things about the Benchmark preamps, the LA4 and HPA4.  Models I am considering and will seek to audition include:

* Rogue RP-5  a step up, but not balanced —$3.5K

* Rogue RP-7  similar to the RP-5 but balanced and $5.0K

* Backert Labs Rhumba 1.3  rave reviews, balanced and $4.5K

* Jeff Rowland Capri S2-SC solid state, balanced and about $5.0K

* Benchmark HPA4  solid state, balanced, matched to AHB2, $3K

Are there other models I should consider? Any suggestions would be most welcome.  I’ve been out of the audio “hobby” for quite a while and am enjoying rediscovering great and listenable music, which is what it is really all about.

Hello Mike,

I think you should look at the Rogue  RH-5. 
balanced but also or is a headphone amp. The phono will add $400 to the price but sounds amazing in that price. The Rp7 is good and the RP9 sounds incredible but run very hot. Bias must be set pretty high.