Upgrading pre amp advice.

I love my LTA level 3 preamp. Others that I’ve owned and recommend are the Holo Serene KTE, and Audio GD pre with the built in regenerator. I had the tubed version but you can get it solid state as well. Also had the Sachs pre and while I liked it I didn’t like it as much as the ones above. Also had a Grimm MU2 and while the dac is great I think it’s pre section is the star of the show. Saying that because I fed some other dacs into its preamp in and a/b’d the internal dac with my external dacs and there wasn’t a huge difference. But when comparing the pre section to my Holo Serene, which I loved, there was a noticeable difference. 

If you must use a Class D amp, your depth is handicapped. So I’d look for a tube pre. 

I know if I were in your position I would sell/trade-in your DAC and preamp for a DAC with volume control. That is, if digital is your only source. The value and sound quality is way better that way, in my experience. 

Take a look at Audio Mirror Linea preamp. Tube, balanced XLR in and out. High build quality with great support from Vlad at Audio Mirror. Fantastic value. Should be able to find used in your price range. 

@easystreamer : did you see my question (https://forum.audiogon.com/posts/2868242) ; )

Do you have experience with this device?

@deep_333 : didn't know Onkyo still existed.

@abd1 : I would like to know why the control amp section of the MU2 is so great (how did they do that without using tubes?) @ericrhodes1 : yeah, there many users who are feeding their Class D power amp with a tube pre amp, the advance can be adjusting the sound by swapping the tubes but many of the preamps mentioned are hard to get in Europe (and it will be a new start for me). It would be nice to look around if there is somebody I can ask to try for some hours/time??