Preamp Upgrade Time

At the price points mentioned there are plenty of choices that boil down to a matter of taste.  I had to smile when the Valhalla 3 was mentioned because I  use my old Valhalla 2 as a preamp on my desktop system.  It is an SET design and paired with a Schiit Galljahorn amp playing small Klipsch speakers.  I put the system together with spare parts just for a lark and was shocked to hear how good it sounded.  SET + horns.  How bad could it be?  That experience led me to reconfigure my big system around an Audio Note SET amp (Vindicator) using a pair of 2A3 power tubes and Klipsch Forte IV speakers.  My preamp is a Rogue RH-5 drive by 2 12AU7 tubes.   Just what I was looking for.  Not for you, perhaps, but experimenting with "lesser" gear in nearfield listening can be revelatory, if only to reveal your own taste and preferences.

Mike4579

Having tested over a dozen preamps, I can certainly agree with the with a few of the recommendations. Here are mine:

Option 1A - Aric Audio Motherlode XL - Best preamp I've ever heard, period

Option 1B - Don Sachs/Lynn Olson Raven preamp (Spatial Audio). In my mind the second best preamp I've ever heard, though I can see why so many people can love it

For disclosure I own the Aric Audio Motherlode XL, as well as several other pieces of Aric's gear

Without hesitation, reach out to Aric at Aric Audio. I have the original Motherlode and have never considered a change...his gear and customer service is a rarity in our esoteric world.

Linear tube audio  they use very good name brand parts  and the latest is very good lots of satisfied customers, and excellent customer service,,  if you stream music, their Linear power supply from your router is a must ,getting rid of Thst noise maker wall wart , then get decent Ethernet hub ,like lhy sw6 for not. Much $$ 

@mike4597 

I have had all ARC electronics exclusively for about 8 years and went through many different preamps.  LS3B, LS26, REF 3, LS27, REF 5, REF 5SE, REF 6.  I also had the GSi75 integrated.  When I had the GSi75, I had decided to go back to separates and traded with a guy that was in the opposite position.  In that deal, I got an ARC REF 75SE along with a Rogue preamp.  I don't remember the model number, but I think it had 4 tubes and sold it for a little under $2k if that says anything about what model it could have been...I am not familiar with their product line.  All I know is that it was astonishing of how it sounded compared to my ARC preamps.  It was like someone threw a blanket over my speakers.  It only took 10 seconds, not even a remote possibility of considering keeping it.  I would seek out a REF 6 and not worry about the SE model.  While there may be an audible difference, I guarantee you it will not be huge/significant and if you later want SE, you can sell yours and buy an SE or get it upgraded.  In that scenario, I would recommend buying the SE and having both in your system to compare and then decide which one you want to keep.  I haven't ever heard the LS28SE but I just feel that the REF6 being around and sometimes less expensive is a better value.  Good luck!