Pre amp recommendations

Since you have ps audio amps, why not get ps audio bhk preamp? Should have good synergy. 

Agreed. And it’s half price now. Stretching the budget but not totally out. 

Anthem STR preamplifier is a beast. 

I will also recommend the BHK preamp.  I added one to my system and it made an improvement that I was not sure was possible in my room/system.  The system is much more real sounding, has increased sound stage front to back and top to bottom, a bit more decay in the notes, a generally more musical presentation, and  I seem to have lost a boominess in the lower frequencies and the harshness in the higher frequencies.  I don't know if you will realize all the benefits when using the Node.  I replaced the Node early on and the improvement was easy to detect - I wanted to start with the best signal I could afford as I improved up the chain.  

 Were you using the internal dac on the node?  I’m using the Denefrips Pontus dac and that’s what started me wanting to upgrade more. Much more natural sound. 
Do you think I should still upgrade the node even though I’m using the Pontus dac?

Upgrade streamer first. It’s your weak 🔗.

I was not using the Node’s internal DAC. At the time, I was using a Node that fed into a benchmark DAC3 (DAC and volume control). I swapped the Node for an Aurender N150. You are on the right track, IMO, by focusing on the preamp and the Node. I don’t know which one you should get first. I started with the Node because it was the least expensive item in my chain. My audiophile buddy told me the streamer upgrade would be noticeable because it was for him, and I thought the DAC3 was top-notch - I never considered there would be an improvement with a separate preamp. My audio journey has made me re-think a lot of the opinions I had.

Thank y’all so much. This is great information. Looks like a new pre and streamer on my radar. Any more suggestions welcome. 

Agree with others on the BHK pre.  Rolling tubes is a fun way to play with the sound and maybe get something you like better than the stock tubes.

I have the Parasound P6 connected to PS Audio M700s to Magnepan 1.7i. I love the P6. The feature set alone is amazing and it integrates perfectly with my HT system. Sonically, it does no harm and I’m very pleased with the overall sonics of my system. I had a P5 before and IMO, the P6 is a noticeable improvement. With the P5 I could hear a bit of graininess and the volume control drove me nuts. The P6 improved on both counts and I’m delighted with the improvements they made to the volume control. I’m sure there are sonically better preamps out there but I don’t hear anything out of the P6 that makes me want to change. I can’t comment on the built in DAC nor the phono stage within because I’ve not tried them. I use a Schiit Yggdrasil for the DAC and don’t own a turntable.

SPL Elector is a wonderful and relatively affordable preamp that can scale up to equipment at an exponent. It made an enormous improvement to my system, and just keeps on giving with any upgrade in the chain.

Do check it out 🙏🏼👍🏼

Thank you all again for your help. I will update with possible streamer and pre amp considerations.

y’all gonna make me spend that money. 

Stay away from this website if you're trying to protect your wallet!  :)

I've also heard great things about SPL, but haven't heard it myself.

@dahodevil Since your amps have balanced inputs, for best results a balanced preamp should be used too. The advantage of balanced line is the cables can be completely neutral (and thus musical in every way) but to do that the preamp has to support the balanced line standard, known as AES48. I've found that many balanced preamps in high end audio don't support the standard despite being balanced. So it would be a good idea to ask the manufacturer if it is. If they don't seem to know what you're talking about, move on...

might looks at the Bryston br 20 Pre. Got a dac and streamer on board.

Any thoughts on eversolo dmp a 6 master addition? I’d be using it as a streamer only. Wish they made one without a dac. 
Interface and sound quality reviews seemed good

SPL : Watch this, covers a wide range of Pre Amps. Harley Longrove is more qualified than anyone here.

https://youtu.be/n-w1xssOHu0?si=FAcWO_N26LRa06mC

A6 has issues with USB recognition of some USB DACs.   Way overhyped , support is weak compared to Bluesound and Aurender.   

Wyred4Sound STP SE might do the job. 

I have the Eversolo A8 and use all the features. Streamer replaced my WIIM pro. Preamp is great. XLR out to my amp as well. 

I would seriously look at the new A10 which will equal any HiFi Rose model.

You don’t say what your price range is, but I highly recommend the ARC REF6.  It is a phenomenal preamp and is a perfect complement to my Pass Labs 250.8 amp.  It just sounds great.  Now I will only point out that when I have changed preamps or amps, I have been hyped up on big differences, but the reality is that most of the time there are definitely differences, but they are not night and day.  I mean that one pre will definitely sound “better” than another, but to me, that has been an incremental difference.  Really the one component that I put into my system that really kicked it up to another level and filled in some of what I felt was lacking — namely depth of soundstage — was a Shunyata Everest power conditioner with a Sigma XC power cable.  I was super surprised that it made such a difference!

Audio GD  HE-1 XLR with 10 tubes and it's own regenerative power supply....$4500....Plays with the 10 K crowd. Awesome unit.