Good preamp for Levinson 23 w/Gershman X1/SW1

I would appreciate some recommendations for a preamp to match well with a ML #23 amplifier and Gershman Acoustic X1/SW2 speakers.

Would like to keep it under $1K and am looking for that nice airy, smooth sound.

Was thinking perhaps ARC LS-2. Any thoughts on that?

Prefer to use XLR between the preamp and amp as the Levinson has either CAMAC or XLR, but not RCA inputs.

Thanks in advance.