New to the two channel world - Advice needed on preamp

The rotel rc1590 will answer any prayers for best sound and configurability . The built in dac is smooth as silk . Also has a number of inputs both digital and analog to grow with any budding audiophile .

sound quality is every bit as good as my mac system. I have both .

Loo looks like you have a credible system. Thinking tubes or solid state? You might try adding a tube pre-amp. I have an Audible Illusions L3B and love it. Check out my other posts under “Rongold”

In your price range, I would not hesitate to recommend the Schiit Freya and the Parasound P6. Both excellent pres with different “sweet spots”. The Freya has a passive mode, a JFET mode and a tube mode. With plenty of balanced and AE inputs and multiple outputs, you can run a host of different amp/sub combos. The P6 is solid state and has a lot of useful bells and whistles. It has a very good DAC built in, it has excellent bass management and HT bypass. Also with tons of balanced and SE inputs and outputs. They both look and sound great, you can’t go wrong with either and you come in on budget.

Pretty much any preamp including tube pre-amps should work fine with that amp. So it really comes down to what you need in a pre-amp. You probably want a newer model with latest greatest usb input. Otherwise a separate dac with analog out.

integrated amps are also a very good choice these days but features vary widely as they do with pre-amps. Take a look at the Bel Canto c5i wihich is a true digital integrated amp. It’s a wonderful device packed with well executed modern technology and top notch. sound. I’ve had mine for a few years now. I decided to try the latest and greatest technology before giving more tubes a try. Glad I did. Don’t miss the tubes at all.

The BAT VK-300SE (used) is consistently fore sale in the low-to-mid $2000 range (astonishing considering its sound and power). Just look around.