Apologies if this is just too far off your initial inquiry, but maybe the amp/pre are fine. For $1500 you could have a really good front end--Used Windows laptop ($300-$400,) jRiver software (on sale today for $44.98,) Wireworld Starlight USB cable ($100,) and a used Benchmark DAC1 ($500), and you still have $500 for great source material.
This would position you towards the future of hi-res, and also Internet Radio and perhaps Tidal.
Buck for buck, for me this was the greatest improvement in sound quality, access to music options, and even reduces the cost of feeding it.
This would position you towards the future of hi-res, and also Internet Radio and perhaps Tidal.
Buck for buck, for me this was the greatest improvement in sound quality, access to music options, and even reduces the cost of feeding it.