My experience with balanced through the preamp was a positive one
There have been some good posts on this as to why there is value in going balanced as well the contrary. Having gone to single ended some factors have improved due to upgraded components. Can't deny something was lost though.
Moving forward if I happen to revamp I'll be going back to an all balanced with each component being true balanced. Reduction of IMD and common mode noise reduction just lowers the noise floor. Let's the music through
There is just something about that blacker background that's seductive. JMO