I would look seriously at the PS Audio BHK pre BUT you have to get different tubes. The stock PSVanes were horrible. I had NOS Tunsgrams that were amazing.
It is balanced, will come in on budget with the trade or below budget if you buy used even with the NOS tubes.
I upgraded from the BHK but my system is entirely single ended now. I was using VTL Monos and had the DSD with Bridge II.
I run all Art Audio gear (I am the importer) and moved to Chord for my digital. My Conductor is 100% a better preamp in a single ended system than the BHK but in yours which is balanced, the BHK will be pretty great. Another perk is that it uses the same remote as the DSD.
Two other options, the McIntosh C22. Brilliant pre and it just is begging to have a turntable added to it. The phono stage is obscenely good.
The ARC LS27/28...whichever you can fit in your budget. Darn good preamp for the money and would work supremely well in your system.
I have run the DSD direct into power amps previously and found it to be a significant step down in quality from a separate pre.
It is balanced, will come in on budget with the trade or below budget if you buy used even with the NOS tubes.
I upgraded from the BHK but my system is entirely single ended now. I was using VTL Monos and had the DSD with Bridge II.
I run all Art Audio gear (I am the importer) and moved to Chord for my digital. My Conductor is 100% a better preamp in a single ended system than the BHK but in yours which is balanced, the BHK will be pretty great. Another perk is that it uses the same remote as the DSD.
Two other options, the McIntosh C22. Brilliant pre and it just is begging to have a turntable added to it. The phono stage is obscenely good.
The ARC LS27/28...whichever you can fit in your budget. Darn good preamp for the money and would work supremely well in your system.
I have run the DSD direct into power amps previously and found it to be a significant step down in quality from a separate pre.