Budget preamp recommendation...besides Schiit.

Schiit Kara?? 😉

One thing forsure , never buy a preamp with a cheap round silver Alps volume pot 

or bournes, a stepped ladder resistor type or relay , if you are using a remote 

if not at least a resistive ladder type to get the most out of your audio system.

So many variables need to be known. What connections and what type? Balanced? etc.

For a very inexpensive option, and if older is okay, a NAD 106 came through here this week and I tell you what, pretty darn good and it has balanced out even.  Really good if you have just one line in for all digital source from a DAC or similar..

There is a really good recap upgrade thread for it on AK too.

Since we are excluding Shitt I will add that I got the new 

https://www.schiit.com/products/mjolnir-3

preamp/headphone amp. It has to mostly work as a preamp to my Schitt Aegir amp and then into my headphones. The integrated headphone output will be used with a second headphone I have.

I was thinking of getting the Benchmark HPA4 which has similar functionality (and more) to replace my Benchmark LA4 preamp. However, I decided to get 2 preamps and save my self the chance of accidently messing up my system using 1 preamp with 2 amps.

I have 15-days to decide if this Schitt can make me happy given my expectations from using the amazing LA4 preamp. The Schitt Freya+ was not as good for me as the LA4.

Consider used Ayre....I have a K5xemp,,,,,love it...nothing ever went wrong. Great open 3D sound.