Upgrading pre amp advice.

@vhond I have the Benchmark LA4 preamp and can’t fault it. It is brilliant for what it is. I bought an Audio Research Ref 6SE preamp a couple of months ago to see what the hype was all about. The ARC thoroughly impressed me. It brought everything to the table which I thought the Benchmark LA4 “lacked”. Don’t get me wrong, I’m keeping the LA4 for a second system but the ARC is now in my reference system and I can’t see any reason to replace it, ever. To really appreciate what it brings to the table you have to pair it with amps and speakers that are on par. 

Afgree with @ghdprentice , it is likely not worthwhile to change with this budget in mind. Even on the resale market. As a principle I have always waited to go to a meaningful step above. Not only just to hear a significant difference but to also get better value. In the long run it is more satisfying and economical IMHO. In the meantime, I suggest you go audition different preamps at different price points. Good luck in your search.

I owned the BP-20 + MPS-1 power supply long ago. The Benchmark LA4 + HPA4 are much better than the Bryston. I owned both BM preamps and loved them; however, I just sold my HPA4 because my new DAC is more revealing than the HPA4 (rare to have that happen).

Over the past decade every single DAC and tuner I put on the LA4 or HPA4 sounded great. DACs were always better into the BM than direct to amp (except my new unicorn DAC). 

I bought my last HPA4 for $2350 and sold it for $2000 to raise funds.

I also just ordered a Schiit Saga 2 preamp ($279) to play my tuners. Super cheap and supposed to be rather good.

The only preamp I liked more than the HPA4 + LA4 was the $33k Allnic top end model. I heard that in my system, and it was as detailed as the HPA4 but also had some of that tube distortion to take it up a level. Most tube preamps are a no go for me.

2nd + for @ghdprentice 

I tried several well reviewed preamps in that price category and found that they did not add to my system. I had to step up in price considerably to make an improvement. of course this depends on your starting point, but your Bryston is a good starting point .

Thank you all for your advices.

So nobody would suggest (a second hand) Ayre K-5XE-MP for instance to enhance the sound in my system? It's to marginal what it will do? Or a second hand Musical Fidelity PRE M8PRE, or a modern Audio Research?

@kmcong: The PS Audio Stellar Gold I didn't know, I keep it in mind. The same is for Linear Tube (thx for suggesting this @soix ​​@bluethinker)

The Benchmark was already on my mind but I wouldn't know if that's on the TOO neutral side of musical??

@glenmschneider : where did you end up (if the budget till 2350 dollars was too low)?

@yyzsantabarbara : thx for sharing the info about the Bryston BP20 versus the the Benchmark.

Other people who have stepped up from a Bryston BP2x (20,25,26) to a level higher??