How about no preamp? I know not always feasible (and much more diffiult with analogue gear) but if you are beginning "the search", why limit yourself?
I run my digital gear direct to amps but have a linestage for my phone/tape/tuner (I switch cables at the amps) which I was also considering upgrading and my top 2 contenders (for my budget) were the Ref 3 (used) and Shindo. The Shindo would have been my decision. Shindo gear (preamp and amps - they love synergy) into high sensitivity speakers is an incredible match.
For me - I will never ever put a preamp between my digital sources and amps again, ever.
I run my digital gear direct to amps but have a linestage for my phone/tape/tuner (I switch cables at the amps) which I was also considering upgrading and my top 2 contenders (for my budget) were the Ref 3 (used) and Shindo. The Shindo would have been my decision. Shindo gear (preamp and amps - they love synergy) into high sensitivity speakers is an incredible match.
For me - I will never ever put a preamp between my digital sources and amps again, ever.