Low Gain or Unity Gain Solid State Preamp

@mstrshikadance 

You might consider asking Arek if he could adjust the active stage in your Khozmo to unity gain.  He was able to make a gain adjustment on the Hattor BigPreamp that he built for me.  In addition to that, I use a Khozmo passive in my main system that is heavily upgraded except without the active stage.  I am only using it for remote control of volume/balance/mute and for the display.  It feeds a high quality unity gain buffer based on the SMc Audio VRE preamplifier design.

I have not heard the three preamps you are looking at but I have heard good things about the Holo Auido Serene.  Good luck.

@mitch2 my current Khozmo has the 64 step Shunt Zfoil + AMRT, the NewClass D active stage. I almost went with the Hattor but liked the look of the Khozmo instead. 

I guess I should clarify my original post, im looking for something Unity or Low Gain that has a buffer. 

Currently looking at the Denafrips Athena, Holo Audio Serene. 

Look for a preamp that lets you set the gain for each input.

@mitch2 

That's beautiful and appears to be really well made. It seems that all of the best new gear is coming from eastern Europe these days. The price is very reasonable too.

The Schiit Saga is a unity gain preamp. And Schiit has some other options that are switchable between low and higher gain.

Since you like the Khozmo, think about this one. 

• Dual mono
• balanced (XLR) and single-ended (rca) inputs/outputs
• 64 step discrete resistor VC (recommend Amtrans AMRG resistors)
• optional opamp gain stage (recommend NewClassD opamps)
• selectable +3/6/9 dB gain (he would maybe adjust to unity/+3/+6 if you asked)
• large display
• remote control of all functions
• multiple appearance options

IMO, the sound quality to price ratio is high for this preamp, even played thorough the active opamp gain stage.