which preamp

What other people say about these preamps really isn't all that relevant. If you get something without listening to it first, you're far more likely to fail than succeed. The preamp is the most important component to get right. If not, you'll just go crazy trying to fix your system.

I agree the audio horizons has a in home addition,I have heard the McIntosh C2300 preamp, has a nice soundstage, lite on bottom and top end, but is not a true balanced preamp, hard to find dealers who have tube preamps to hear and compare

I would auditition the TRL Dude pre-amp, I have heard many, many good things about this unit, I know a couple of members here that have did mods to the Dude with great success!, from tube rolling to top tier caps in sections of the unit, stock is hailed as very good too, for the money, if I were to go active, it would be on my short list to audition, cheers.

as I said before not many audio stores in south florida, so to audition tube preamps is difficult,and to find a balanced tube pre that is in my price range. THE TRL dose not have a in home audition,so to read what other forums have to say about reviews of different preamps is helping my decision

"10-11-14: Smokenjo
as I said before not many audio stores in south florida, so to audition tube preamps is difficult,and to find a balanced tube pre that is in my price range. THE TRL dose not have a in home audition,so to read what other forums have to say about reviews of different preamps is helping my decision"

I understand where you are coming from, but buying a preamp without listening to it, especially tubes, is very risky. Have you tried Wellington Audio? He's in South Florida and has quite a bit of tube gear on display. There's no problem at all with bringing your current gear into the store and trying it with whatever he has. It's definitely worth the drive. Also, try The Cable Company. There's a good chance they may have a preamp to lend you.