Looking for a preamp with XLR connections

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. 

Hello Mike,

I think you should look at the Rogue  RH-5. 
balanced but also or is a headphone amp. The phono will add $400 to the price but sounds amazing in that price. The Rp7 is good and the RP9 sounds incredible but run very hot. Bias must be set pretty high.