Upgrading preamp. Best for under $1K

+1 for the LTA unit if you can add a phono stage later on. Went from an LTA MZ2 as a line preamp to the Microzotl pre because I was so impressed. Imaging, dynamics, soundstage, all awesome for the money and as mentioned, David Berning designs are low impact on overall tube life.

Thanks for the responses! It seems tubes is the way to go for preamp but will it match well with the B&K amp?

Can also try Class A, my preference.

Schiit Audio: Audio Products Designed and Built in Texas and California

Tired of compromise? Kinda crazy when it comes to sound? Then maybe you’re in the mood for Mjolnir 3, a real-deal, 100% Class-A, no-feedback, dual-mono, choke-input, fully-discrete, balanced-differential headphone amp and preamp. It’s by far the most extreme desktop product we’ve ever done.

This is better to my ears than the Schitt Freya+ (owned it before). The Mjolnir is not as good as my Benchmark LA4 and Holo Serene, but it is a really good 2-channel preamp.

I listen to the Mjolnir preamp and a Schitt Aegir amp each night with headphones, but in a 2-channel manner.

Topping Pre90 for less than a grand, great sound