Please suggest good balanced Preamp

Without knowing what amplifier you will be using it's hard to make a recommendation. Can you elaborate?

I also own an Aesthetix Calypso and have had no noise issues either.

Good Luck.

How abaout the Parasound Halo JC-2. Retail is $4000, a good dealer (such as myself) could certainly get you one for less than $3500, and this pre has the XLR input and output you seek, and has received an exceptional review in Stereophile.

It is best with a warm-ish amp, or a speaker which can benefit from detailed components.

If I can help, please let me know.

Hi all, I appreciate very much for the great suggestions and valuable inputs.

Joey54,
The preamp will feed an active crossover (Pass Labs XVR-1) which in turn will feed a pair of VTL MB 300s for H/F drivers and a pair of KRELL 350C Mono Blocks for the LF drivers.

Clio09, How much is the diference between MP-1 and MP-3 soundwise ? Have you listened to MP-3 ? Can you give a little more sense of the sound of this model ? I will have to do some research on this one though.

Programmergeek & Bwos, I am glad that you are able to bring down the noise level of Calypso pre. This pre seems to me very promising if the noise is not the issue at all. I don't know why so many users have complains about this preamp on noise issues. And I wonder if nos Amperex, Mullard, or Telefunken tubes reduce the noise floor of Calypso (which is the major downside of this preamp) then why the manufacturer do not ship their unit with these tubes. Is there a sonic compromise using these tubes ? As I said "it is an absolute no, no" to me if I have to search and experiment with various tubes to make a preamp listenable after paying big bucks for the preamp itself.

Dbw1, I will keep an eye on Sim P8 though.

Buff, I have to listen to JC-2. But before that I will consider MP-3 or Asthetix, becauase I like tubes. Somehow in my mind something tells me that "go for the tubes". -:)

Thanks everyone and have great listening.

I think you have a very good list already, plus the other suggestions are good.

I would add a (used) BAT VK51SE on the list. You can get one for right about $3700-4k.

I agree with the other poster on the Aesthetix. I would not worry about noise with the right tubes.

Good luck, nice problem to have, some great choices !

I'd go for the K1x, you might even find an e model with phono for a little over your budget. That would be a great unit. It's got everything you are looking for and is one of the absolute best sounding preamps out there.