Truly Balanced Cheaper Preamplifiers?

OP, stay the course. You're on the right track. Those here questioning simply are ignorant of the sonic benefits by having a fully dif balanced system
Recently Paul McGowan put out a YTV which can help

If $$$ is tight you could get a Parasound 6 and use the XLR circuit only, then sell it when funds allow you to upgrade

TMR has a Audio Alchemy DDP-1 + PS 5 at <$1300. It's a fantastic pre Stereophile reviewed it in March 2000ish. I have one


hth

Ive owned a lot of PS Audio kit over the decades. I still have a GCC 250 from when it first came out ~ 15 years ago that powers my video system


I bought the M700s and the Gain Cell dac/pre. It lacked soul and had no outboard power supply to flesh it out.


hth

@jafox+1 .


I argue this with ignorant people on a regular basis. I can even hear the difference between 0.5 an 1.0 XLRs of the same mfg