Best sounding preamp under 2K?


I require remote operation and balanced design. Used market is okay. The two I'm considering are the BAT VK-5i and SF Line-3. Any others that come to mind? Does anyone know of a non-6922 based preamp that fits my criteria (price, remote, balanced)?
rolfacc2
Blue Circle's neither have remote or are balanced. AI's fall into the same category. I haven't considered SS since I don't know of anything that will sound as good as the VK-5i in the price range.

Any other suggestions?

Thanks. -Rolf
Rolf: I was going to nominate the Rogue 99, but I don't believe it offers balanced, although I'm not sure. I know my 66 does not. Otherwise, it is a phenomenal value with phono, remote and headphone. Mike
rolf, my recommendation uses 4 6922's, but i still recommend it - i *love* mine! :>) the melos music director or ma333 (the ma333, the earlier version, doesn't have the same caps, but it *does* have the photentiometer volume control, which i think is better, but can be easily misaligned during shipping - it's *very* sensitive...) this pre has remote volume/balance controls, and was offered w/balanced ins/outs, but it was an option, so not all units may have it.

prior to getting the melos, i tried the "magnum"-updated rogue 99 (remote volume, not balanced, no tape monitor function), & the cary slp98 (remote awailable, don't think balanced is an option). the cary was better than the rogue, but the melos is in another league entirely.

I've owned the 5i, 30SE, 30, 40, and 50SE. The Pass Aleph P is every bit as good as the 5i, but it is solid state. I haven't seen a used Line 3 in the $2k price range yet, so I don't see how it meets your criteria. Good luck!