Upgrading pre amp advice.

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??

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

Definitely is neutral but I have a slightly warm amp and my sources vary. I rather have the pre not contribute to the sound positively or negatively. If you buy new you have a 30-day home trial. The BM preamps do not need much burn-in.