Budget preamp recommendation...besides Schiit.

So many variables need to be known. What connections and what type? Balanced? etc.

For a very inexpensive option, and if older is okay, a NAD 106 came through here this week and I tell you what, pretty darn good and it has balanced out even.  Really good if you have just one line in for all digital source from a DAC or similar..

There is a really good recap upgrade thread for it on AK too.

Since we are excluding Shitt I will add that I got the new 

https://www.schiit.com/products/mjolnir-3

preamp/headphone amp. It has to mostly work as a preamp to my Schitt Aegir amp and then into my headphones. The integrated headphone output will be used with a second headphone I have.

I was thinking of getting the Benchmark HPA4 which has similar functionality (and more) to replace my Benchmark LA4 preamp. However, I decided to get 2 preamps and save my self the chance of accidently messing up my system using 1 preamp with 2 amps.

I have 15-days to decide if this Schitt can make me happy given my expectations from using the amazing LA4 preamp. The Schitt Freya+ was not as good for me as the LA4.

Consider used Ayre....I have a K5xemp,,,,,love it...nothing ever went wrong. Great open 3D sound.

The ARC LS series, used, could work well ( LS 26 was 2300 in 2018).

It has for me.

I purchased a like new Threshold T3i for $1200 that knocks the socks off much more expensive preamps!

I also purchased an Inspire LP3.1 tube preamp for $1250 that’s as silent as I’ve heard, which allows you to swap all kinds of tubes. There are all kinds of very good preamps if one chooses to buy used!

Currently there’s a tube BAT VK3Xi available for $1500. That’s a steal, and a modern preamp.