Pre-amp with balanced suggestions?

Lots of good stuff in that price range - I second the Aesthetix Calypso. If you research this, don't let the folks who tell you to tube roll scare you off. The stock tubes sound great. I have used both the stock tubes and NOS tubes from Andy's Vintage tube services and while they are different, they both sound great, and the stock tubes are more neutral...

Another vote for the Doge 8 preamp.

I'm looking for something under $3000 used, transparency, detail, and holographic imaging are my priorities. Something that adds color is not what I want, just neutral and clean.

So what might you suggest?

I suggest you stretch your budget a bit and get this:

Ayre K-1xe Preamp for sale here on Audiogon for $3,700

I've had one for several years, and have been very happy with it. (In fact, it is now the oldest major component in my system.) FYI, while the one for sale does not have the phono boards, if you ever want to upgrade your phono preamp, the internal phono boards are near reference quality. (Note: The K-1xe has been discontinued, but it remains a reference quality preamp, IMHO, and Ayre does provide service for these still.)

My two cents worth.

(FYI, I have no affiliation with the seller of the aforementioned K-1xe.)

I have a K1xemp and its as good as you can find. If you want the phono boards, you can easily send it to Ayre who will be happy to install them for you. The phono input makes the 2nd input the phono input which reduces by one the total inputs. There are 3. Understand that you should use XLR connectors from your turntable as well for optimum performance

Sounds like a Bryston BP26 might be right up your alley. Ultra transparency, dead quiet background, holographic imaging, absolute neutrality with nothing added, and a the balance of a 20-year warranty if you can find one. Best of luck.