preamp upgrade suggestion around $2000

@zm thank you very much, this is the type of comment I am looking for.  Based on that, it seems the MZ2 can be a good balance because I have many tube gear in the system.  Both my DAC and amp are tube.  So, maybe a less tube sounding preamp is a better match.  One complaint I have is that my Luxkit is a bit noisy together with my 97dB speakers and 300B tube amp.  So, a quiet preamp is definitely a plus.

I have the Don Sachs 2. It responds well to tube rolling and with the tubes I use now, Shuguang Treasure WE6SN7, it is not noisy and not too soft like it sounds with some NOS tubes. Tight, balanced with enough tube magic.

I should clarify that I don’t think the Sachs is a particularly noisy unit; just that it is noisier than the MZ2, which is a supernaturally quiet preamp. Kind of the same dynamic to my comment about the bass - the Sachs bass is good, it’s just that the MZ2 bass is tight and slams like solid state.

The Sachs is an excellent unit, but if OP is looking for something on the cooler side to balance out the tubes elsewhere in his system, I would probably steer him to the MZ2 out of those two units. 

I love them both for different reasons and on the whole wouldn’t say one is “better” than the other. They have different strengths and weaknesses, and I think it comes down to personal taste.

*Edited to correct that I’m using the Black Treasure CV-181 in my Don Sachs, not the same tubes as previous poster as I originally wrote.

zm, try the Shuguang Treasure WE6SN7. I had the BT's, sold them. You might be surprised.

@nwres thanks for the tip, I might give those a try.  I’ve tried to avoid going down the 6SN7 tube rolling rabbit hole, but if I’m being honest it’s probably only a matter of time.  And the MZ2 can use 6SN7 too.....