I agree with Redkiwi. Try the Placette. It was the best pre-amp I've ever owned. It's very transparent, and hard to beat for the money. It will let any deficiencies in your system shine through, though. I like transparency in a pre-amp, and then get warmth, bloom, or whatever else you're lacking from other components in the chain. It's industrial looking, but you have a 30 day free trial period if you don't like it.
Want to upgrade my Sonic Frontiers Line2
What should I look at to improve on the SFL2? Under $5k used