Looking for a preamp with XLR connections

Agree, the Schiit Freya+ is still noisy. There are lots of great options but careful system matching is always needed. What amp(s) and speakers will you pair the unit with, and what kind of tonal are you looking for?

Benchmark, Ayre, Luxman, Pass Labs all have great options in the price range and are all very different. I also know you said no tubes but the PS Audio BHK Preamplifier is a wonderful unit for the price, imparting slight tube harmonics without resulting with minimal noise. 

A. Don't trust anything ASR reports

B. Ditto

C. Ditto

Now, just because a pre has both XLR I/Os doesn't necessarily mean it is true/differentially balanced, though it should. If you are patient, people post their Audio Alchemy DDP- 1 which is both a pre and a dac. Mega write up in Absolute Sound back in March 2016. You also want the matching PS 5, outboard power supply. MSRP was ~ $2800, but often for sales ~ $1500. I've had one for about 3 years now. Every change I make to the rest of my system comes through. I saw a streamer + PS 5 FS not long ago

HTH

Disregard anything ASR says.

I think we need to understand more about what you are trying to do.

In general, the more expensive the better sounding the equipment. Schiit is great budget gear… but is not going to stack up against a $10K audiophile preamp.

If I were writing down requirements for a preamp it would be a long list of sonic characteristics, with my musical preferences, associated equipment… in this scenario technology would not enter… and particularly not the connector… as it is likely to be such a tiny difference in comparison with the other characteristics.

Definitely, Ayre, Pass, Mark Levinson, Krell.

Many of the best preamps are tubed. Unless you have a very compelling reson for discounting them I would recommend searching on sound characteristics and then choose a preamp, regardless of technology. The preamp is so central to the sound characteristics of a system and high quality tubed preamps are very reliable, not producing the heat of tubed amps.

If you care to share your current system, components, and venue there is a place to put photos of your system under your ID. We can be more helpful the more we know. You can get a very good preamp for $10K. Worth a lot of thought.

The Freya+ is NOT noisy. I owned it and I also owned 2 of the quietest preamps in the world, the Topping pre90 and the Benchmark LA4 + HPA4. I currently, only have the LA4 and the CODA 07x in the house.

Both the LA4 and 07x have XLR inputs (2 each) and XLR outputs, The LA4 has 1 XLR and 1 RCA. While the CODA has 2 XLR’s.

The Schitt Freya+ is actually rather quiet, not as quiet as the pre90, LA4, or 07x (not 100% sure on the 07x), but surprisingly quiet for tubes. If I were someone that likes to have a lot of audio gear around, I would have kept the Freya+. I thought it was rather good with a Benchmark AHB2 amp.

BTW - I do not think much about the cost of audio gear. I actually laugh at some of the prices. However, saying all of that, I expect to pair my $2500 LA4 preamp with a $35000 amp when my Livingroom system is done. The LA4 is what to use if you do not want to flavor your sound and also want to hear only the other gear. So that other gear better sound good ’naked’. I would not take any other preamp (at any price) over it for my best system.

BTW2 - I am not someone who dislikes tubes. My RAAL VM-1a tube headphone amp has 7 tubes and is a bit noisy, but it is also the very best sound I have ever had in my home. That is until my future Livingroom system comes together.

@yyzsantabarbara When I mention Freya+ is noisy, it’s not due to audible noise that results in taking any blackness away, but rather the cheap implementation results in incomprehensible hash-like noise that reduces effortless delivery and instead induces some fatigue after long listening. Regarding tube noise, I would agree the Freya+ is fairly quiet ans leagues quieter than its predecessor. 

I can a negative review by ASR a positive.

I have no other knowledge about the Freya.

Please see the Ayre Acoustics web page and look for the Ayre Series 5 preamps and the Ayre Series 8 preamp. These units are balanced and have XLR connections. Please also see the Audiogon for listings for preowned Ayre preamps.

For example, the Ayre Acoustics KX-5 Twenty preamp Silver model is listed for sale (and some others).  

If you can extend a little bit

Soulution 525 preamp.

As per the above post, please note that Soulution has no repair facilities in the USA and that any units needing repair, etc. must be shipped to Switzerland at your expense.  For example, my friends Soulution amp stopped working and he had to paid the freight, both ways, plus the actual cost to repair his amp.

If you decided to purchase any preowned unit (any brand), please confirm the company has repairs facilities in the USA.  I also suggest you call the company to confirm repairs are possible on the preowned unit and that they will do them. Independent audio repair shops are another option.

A used Ayre KX-R is well below $10K, and is one of the best preamps out there.

( I am referring to the Non-Twenty, but have seen used Twenty's for under $10K, too).

Bob

@hgeifman 

I had mine ( Soulution 330 INT ) repaired ( 2 boards ) at Tricell Enteprises in 

Toronto. It was under warranty . No charge . And frankly , I was responsable for 

the issue.

Tricell Enteprises ordered the boards from the company in Europe

I use the PS Audio BHK. It does use tubes but it’s a hybrid. Pass labs and Luxman would be on my list as well and plus 1 more to ignore ASR. 

Look for the number of line inputs, power outputs, line level recorder output if needed.

Multiple power outputs are needed if you want to use subs, may need single ended or balanced for that.

The Ayre KX-5 Twenty checks the boxes for me.

Wired 4 sound STP SE level 2 preamp. It has everything you need. Love mine, great volume control via remote.

The LA-4 Line amp from Benchmark is Superb, $2599 with remote. I wouldn't trade it period. I have a very good system, and it's part of the VERY good. 30 day trial period, 5 year warranty. What more could you ask for. Plus, RORY who will answer  the phone,  will answer all your questions and is well educated in the field. The web site hides nothing!!!!! Great to be able to talk with a nice human being, rather than e mail. A win win. Robert TN   if your into headphones the Line amp Hp-4 is one of the best headphone amps too. Good luck

Zesto preamps are quite good.  I have the original Leto and it’s a great preamp.  The newer model Ultra and Ultra II are even better.  New models have 3 XLR in 3 RCA in.   2 pair of RCA out. 2 pair or XLR out.     Extremely quiet.    Very dynamic and natural sounding, perfectly voiced in my opinion 

Outstanding customer service.  
 

Hello,

I would go with the Ayre KX-5 preamp. You are right at your limit in price. It has everything you need. Fully differential balance in and out. The volume is a variable gain stage not an attenuated pot. The dealers will let you take it home to let you try it with your gear. It also has two XLR and one RCA outputs to give you options for bi/ Tri wiring or adding subs like I did. It even has a balanced non-variable tape out for recording or sending to a nice headphone amp. 

Cary SLP-05.  Get it direct from them with the upgrade. Yes, it has tubes. Not problematic, you'll love it.

A few comments

1 XLR is not the same as inherently balanced. While XLR means a balanced interconnect far too many achieve it with an extra (meaning more noise, distortion) stage to convert an otherwise unbalanced circuit to balanced. Don't be fooled.

2. If you think ASR specs are the end all, we have little more to discuss. And this is from an EE who's been CTO of some large tech firms.  Music is not so simple.....

3. Why is XLR/balanced so important to you? Its real benefit is noise immunity.  I seriousyl doubt you have that issue in your home.

G

If you are not considering tubes you are really missing out.

Tubes are like an obsession with many. OP says no tubes. I tried tubed preamps, BHK and Prima Luna. Best thing I did was going back to solid state. One less thing to fuss around with and not missing anything. Of course getting your room right has everything to do with it.

Hegel P30, Hegel P20

You might like the Circle Labs P300: https://www.circlelabs.eu/p300_en

@agolde1110

Please have a look at AGD Alto Reference Preamplifier · AGD Productions

This is our newest addition to our portfolio

Just about all preamps have XLR connections- But that does not mean they are balanced all the way through from imputes to out puts. 

@ tweak1

Why would a company offer XLR outputs if the equipment in question is not true/differentially balanced?

The Musical Fidelity M8 preamp should be on your short list.

This does have tubes, but it's very nimble, detailed, dynamic, and extended, and with balanced XLR inputs and outputs

If your budget is 10k, reference preamp, no tubes, Xlr in/out, then Pass Labs XP22 would fit the bill

miniDSP SHD

Rogue RP-9.Fully balanced, $7500, and uses the same tubes as ARC LS28SE.

it's difficult to make a reliable recommendation without knowing the amplifier you are using. 

$10k will just about get you into a used Audio Research Ref series fully balanced pre.

The SQ has been excellent on the three AR preamps I have had.

Classe Delta Pre. Very very quiet, and fantastic overall.

Why limit your choices? Clearthinker is right Audio Research Ref series would probably make you forget solid state preamp.Freya plus is a good preamp especially if you upgrade the  tubes ,PM amorstereo or Teajay he knows a lot ask Him.

+1 for Cary SLP05 or Audio Research Ref.  All tube, all great, all sound a little different but over all can’t  go wrong.  Check the used market.  Sorry for stating the oblivious.  Plus if you find you’re not happy resale is great for all these preamps.

FWIW, the Benchmark preamps get excellent ASR reviews, have no tubes, have XLR inputs/outputs, and cost far less than $10K.  So they seem to match the OP's criteria well. In case you don't trust ASR, IIRC other reviews have been very positive as well.  

The Simaudio Moon 740p is worth considering. Likewise the Passlabs XP22. In  both cases however, the number of balanced inputs is limited. Both are superbly transparent, musical pre's that are feature top quality engineering and build.

Parasound JC2

$3500 new

leaves you a budget for great cables

Good luck Willy-T

I know you said no tubes, but check out PS Audio’s BHK preamp.  It’s a hybrid so it has some small tubes, but they will last ten thousand hours.

Just a thought.

JD

There's a lot of incredible preamps for $10k.  

• XLR connections doesn't mean fully differential balanced circuitry
• There are excellent solid state preamps and furthermore there are exception preamps "plus" that include phono stage, DAC or DAC/Streamer

I have Moon by Simaudio 390 and I think it's excellent.  I previously had a McIntosh C2600 which is a tube preamp and if money wasn't a consideration I'd probably went for a ARC preamp.

Listen to as many options as you can - there's certainly a number of strong options.  Enjoy the journey.

@styleman 

Several others already answered your question

@agolde1110

The AGD Alto Reference Preamplifier · AGD Productions

is a fully balanced design end-to-end

The Phono stage also uses a completely balanced design.

A preamplifier  is basically  the system.  It has to let what the source  sends it through and not change it. A poor preamplifier  can never have a system  sound right. Shop lots listen  to as many as you can before you  buy  

The Bryston BR20 is a fully balanced design. Plus great customer service. It also comes w/a 20 year Warranty.

Ditto for Ayre preamps. I’ve owned an entry level K-5e for over 15 years using balanced inputs for my DAC, CD player (both also Ayre) and balanced out to my amp. Background is dead quiet even if you put your ear up to the speaker. Very detailed, neutral sound, with no harshness. I’ve auditioned the Ayre KX-R but with a different system so comparison not apples to apples. Have also auditioned newer Luxman (which I owned previously) and Bryston. Could recommend those as well, but prefer simplicity of Ayre products and lack of features I don’t need given my use of separate components. 

I, too, am in the market for a preamp upgrade, something in the $3K to $5K range.  I currently have a Rogue Audio RP-1 preamp, a Benchmark AHB2 power amp, and Fyne Audio F702 floor standing speakers, augmented at the lower end by a DEfinitive Technology Supercube 6000 carried over from my previous system.  My DAC is a Schiit Bifrost 2, for which I just ordered the “64” upgrade.  The sound is quite good, with excellent imaging, soundstage, and instrument definition, but I realize my preamp is a bit lower on the SQ scale than my power amp and speakers.  I also wonder if there would be any significant benefit going to XLR connections in a balanced preamp.  The Fynes are rated at 93 db efficiency, so I think I have sufficient amplifier power for our small/medium living room.

The Rogue preamps are tubed, so my thought is to stay with tubes, although I have read only very good things about the Benchmark preamps, the LA4 and HPA4.  Models I am considering and will seek to audition include:

* Rogue RP-5  a step up, but not balanced —$3.5K

* Rogue RP-7  similar to the RP-5 but balanced and $5.0K

* Backert Labs Rhumba 1.3  rave reviews, balanced and $4.5K

* Jeff Rowland Capri S2-SC solid state, balanced and about $5.0K

* Benchmark HPA4  solid state, balanced, matched to AHB2, $3K

Are there other models I should consider? Any suggestions would be most welcome.  I’ve been out of the audio “hobby” for quite a while and am enjoying rediscovering great and listenable music, which is what it is really all about.