balanced preamp

I wouldn't make a selection using balanced as the most important factor to consider. I do feel its better but I would buy a component based on sound quality first. If it just happens to be balanced, thats OK too.

Dsremer,

"I have tried my P.S.Audio PW DAC 11 via the Balanced out directly to the M.L.336 and was impressed with the results, I do not want to take a step back the First Sound pre does a lot of things right.."

Theres absolutely nothing wrong with wanting to go balanced. Most of my components are. After reading your above post, though, I can't help but think that there is a lot more going on as to why you are hearing differences besides the PS Audio being balanced. The 2 units are very different from each other in many ways. I'm just suggesting that there are other factors that make them sound different besides being balanced.