Balanced Preamp Recommendations?

Audio Research Reference 2 is the best preamp I have ever heard.

I have heard rumors that the Audio Research LS-25 is coming out in a MKII version that is supposed to be capable of performance like the Ref. 2 at the 5K price point. I own a LS-25 of the original version and it is pretty impressive.

Check out the BAT vk5i. It's a good deal at the price.

I listened to a Conrad Johnson, Ayre, and several BATs. In the end I fell in love with the BAT VK-30. Delicious sound. Loved it so much I decided to match it with the VK-200 amp. Omigod - what a combo. Plus the user interface and control/flexibility is amazing. Finally, Victor Khomenko is so much the consummate gentleman, it is incredible. He always answers my phone calls, returns emails, and provides excellent advice. He is so polite and knowledgable that it is a pleasure to support his company and then to tell people about it. I am one happy dude.

If it's not out of your price range, have a listen to the BAT VK50SE. I owned ARC SP-11 for years, and recently auditioned a ARC REF1. Then a friend bought a BAT VK50. I was hooked, and bought the VK50SE. It's breaking in now! Sad thing was the 50SE was not synergistic with my Classe M-1000 monoblocks. I dug out my old trusty Levinson ML3, and there was the magic! Good luck!