Balanced/Differential tube preamplifier recommendation?

+2 Schiit Freya+ preamp

Mike

I am looking for something a bit better than the Freya +. Thank you for your suggestion though

So have you listened to the Freya +? Or your basing that on? 

My son loves my old Freya + with his AGD Tempo Di GaN. Loves the flexibility and that it was inexpensive, he got a smoking deal on the AGD also. 

Good luck in your search. 

 I am looking for something a bit better than the Freya +

I would recommend looking for a used Audio Research, VAC, or Conrad Johnson. I would go back as far as necessary to meet your budget (make sure it is a tube preamp). These are world class preamps and will provide amazingly musical presentations. If you could stretch to $3K this would likely move you up a level.

Real audiophile preamps go beyond simple detail + bass into real musical reproduction. The preamp is the first component to bring up into the audiophile category if you can. It is the wingnut that holds it all together.

I bought my first audiophile preamp about 40 years ago… it was life changing.

mc1969, holy crap that's a heck of a amp. Someday I'd also like a GaN amp. I have heard the Freya+. It is a fine unit. It just seemed a bit lacking to me, all around, especially in the department of dynamics and tonal character 

ghdprentice, that is good advice. Do you happen to know if the listed manufacturers make their preamps fully differential? I know Audio Research in particular is very well regarded, and even their older designs are imitated even today