Looking for Tube Pre Amp Advice

my 2 cents

6sn7/6sl7 based units can sound very nice but they can also be highly problematic with respect to microphony... my don sachs pre was sold off due to this issue, as nice as it sounded on its good days

there are many lovely tube line stages out there, with respect to sonic beauty and holography i can personally recommend the upper model c-j’s and audio research ones - my suggestion is to buy the best one(s) you can afford you won't be sorry

@bobbyloans I have had a couple of BAT preamplifiers and currently own a BAT VK-90 preamplifier.  They offer all the design features you are looking for; fully balanced from input through to the outputs and also a theater bypass function.  The attached link will take you to a listing for a BAT VK-51SE, which is a predecessor generation to the model I currently own.  BAT preamplifiers are outstanding in every way sonically and with an exceptional build quality.  This is well within your budget, too.  Do some research on BAT preamps, of course.  Best to you.  Balanced Audio Technology Tube Preamplifier For Sale - US Audio Mart

just thinking about adding a tube preamp to my SS system. Love my Benchmark LA-4, all Balanced, Balanced also for a SUB. LA-4 also offer 10db of gain, Do any of the aforementioned offer adjustable gain? Thanks Robert TN

@robshaw Regarding the brand of preamp I mentioned, all of the BAT preamps are 18db maximum gain and are not adjustable.  They all offer two sets of preamp outputs.  Volume control is in .5db steps.  It is the very best volume control I have ever owned.  It is the very best preamp I have ever owned.    

Great. Good luck. Look forward to hearing what you choose. Make sure you look carefully at Audio Research preamps.