Help me build out my first system

Why don't you call a reputable dealer and speak to them. Share your system goals and see what they can put togther on your budget. TMR, Holt Hill Audio, Upscale Audio amongst others get mentioned here on this site for a reason.
 

@bgross there is indeed no substitute, I’ll certainly be making the rounds before pulling any triggers! Thanks for some additional names, I know there are many great resources mentioned around here. 

in that case, you might as well enjoy the gains down the line - upstream in your future upgrade path. I wish I had any skills that would contribute to good sound. 

Neutrality is important for me too. Two of the very best preamps for a neutral sound are (I also own both):

• Benchmark LA4/HPA4 (consider the HPA4)
• Holo Audio Serene

There is a review online comparing the 2 preamps. The reviewer preferred the warmer Serene I prefer the BM preamps. Both are great.

I have tried a few DACs, costing $700 - $15000. I have now come to a happy result with the Schitt Yggi+ OG (neutral) and the Yggi+ LIM (warm-ish).

I called up Schitt and spoke to a musician that was working there to discuss DACs. He hated the LIM because it was a warm and limited on the top end. One reason a lot of people like it, but as a musician he said he hated it. He then told me that the best DAC he had ever hear was the Schitt Yggi+ OG. He told me to buy the last one ever made and I would not be sorry. He was right, though it took a month of heavy playing to really break-in. The replacement for the OG is called the Yggi+ More is Better (MIB). It is supposed to be close to the OG sound and not the LIM sound.

Both the preamp and DAC suggestion will be around $6k new though on the used market the cost should be around $4k.

BTW - I can only vouch for the latest Yggi+| DACs. They have been around for 10 years, but their modular design is upgradeable. So, in the used market they maybe older units. Schitt and Benchmark support home trials.

 BTW2 - I said consider the HPA4 over the LA4 because I plan to use my HPA4 with maybe the world best headphone at any price. I heard this headphone with my Serene preamp/headphone amp and it was an immediate desire to buy it. The HPA4 will be even better as a headphone amp.

The Absolute Sound magazine puts out an annual “Editor Choice Awards” of recommended components at all price points, about 170 pages of components.  Last issue was March 2024 issue #347.

firstly the real question is why would you even need a preamp these days?

you would need a preamp if you are using a turntable or a home theater 

if not you need a  streamer with volume control and that's it.

we are very partial to the atoll st200 a dac streamer with analog volume control and one set of analog inputs

very musical plays tidal quobuzz spotify,amazon music bluetooth internetradio roon capable basically all the streaming sources most people need, has a great free app 

Dave and Troy

Audio intellect NJ

Atoll dealers