McIntoish C8 or PrimaLuna EVO 300

I’d highly recommend looking at the Backert Rhumba.  Excellent air/3D soundstage capabilities with just a touch of tube warmth.  Has a balance control but unfortunately not on the remote, but they do offer a 14-day return period, which is pretty huge IMO.  Aric does not offer a return option BTW but also great preamps, but you may wanna check if preamps are fully balanced from input to output because some aren’t if that matters to you.  I believe you have the option to upgrade the Rhumba to the Extreme version in the future if you might want even more, which is nice.

https://backertlabs.com/rhumba-1-3-tube-preamplifier/

If you can stretch to $6395 you should strongly consider the Spatial Audio Raven that’s a true end-game preamp IMHO.  That one I believe does offer balance control on the remote, and they offer a generous 45-day return period.  Personally I’d take the Rhumba, Aric, or Raven over the Mac or PrimaLuna, but that’s me.  Just some other options FWIW, and best of luck. 

https://www.spatialaudiolab.com/raven-preamplifier

@soix 

the Raven is a nice find.

"state-of-the-art Khozmo volume control, with remote control (standard) and 0.5 dB left-to-right balancing ... on the remote, so you don’t need to get up to make precise corrections while you listen."

"The Raven preamp has a dual mono Khozmo attenuator system with naked foil resistors for the signal path. You can turn the unit on and off using the power button on the front panel. The other button allows input selection, and will cycle through the inputs with every touch. The volume knob changes level. The remote control allows you to change inputs, mute the preamp, turn the display on and off, and change volume. It has one more key feature that allows you to change the volume of each channel independently using the L+, L-, R+ and R- buttons. You can have one channel slightly louder than the other to compensate for speaker or room variations. The channel difference is maintained when you raise and lower the master volume with the VOL+ and VOLbuttons. To restore perfect channel balance simply set the channels to the same level."

The McIntosh, you use the remote, go into the menu, find balance, then adjust it remotely. I wonder if it has a memory of what you did last. It wouldn’t take long to get quick with it, but it’s nice if it’s a dedicated button/rocker so you can adjust volume and balance with ease.

.............................

I bet Aric could use the DUAL MONO version of the Khozmo in a Custom unit, and that would include the dual mono remote like the Raven.

I just wrote Khozmo

"I saw a unit with Khozmo DUAL MONO and it had a remote with master volume and individual volume for left and right.
https://www.spatialaudiolab.com/raven-preamplifier
Who else is making a preamp with DUAL MONO, balance on the remote?

Do you have a custom department, for you to make it?

Thanks, Elliott"

Joseph Crowe is also using the DUAL MONO Khozmo with balance controls on the remote

https://josephcrowe.com/products/preamplifier-no-2310

He is related/connected/in cahoots with Spatial which is a Don Sachs inspired design.

http://www.dsachsconsulting.com/CitationRestoration.html

"Sept 3, 2023:I have partnered with Spatial Audio Lab in Salt Lake City to build the new Raven preamp and Blackbird 300b mono amps."

Just send money, lots of it! You can’t take it with you.

Or, buy a Chase RLC-1 for $100.

Sorry to go off on a tangent, but OP did show some interest in 6sn7 and Remote Balance

@winoguy17 

That ModWright seems like a winner

https://www.modwright.com/products/ls-100-tube-preamp/

"Remote Control Functions Include:

• Power.
• Two remote trigger outputs.
• Selectable balance control, may be bypassed for cleaner signal path.
• Volume control.
• Mute.
• Input select.
• Monitor input select.

Preamp Functions Include:

• Upgrade slot for Optional in-board Phono stage.
• Built in headphone amp fed via tube driver stage.
• Home Theater Bypass.
• All pushbutton control, no toggle switches.

LS 100 Tube PHONO OPTION:

• One pair RCA inputs.
• Tube Design: (1)12AX7, (1)12AU7
• MC: Total gain = 63dB (including preamp stage)
• MM: 12AX7 replaced with 12AU7 = 48dB gain.
• Loading: 50, 100, 500, 1K, 47K, 100pf via internal dip switches.
  [USER/DEALER INSTALLABLE OPTION]"

"Notes: Rectangular plate is installed over the Opt. input on the back panel of the unit. This is removed when installing optional Phono Stage or DAC upgrade. There is room for two RCA connectors for phono or two connectors for digital. Phono upgrade is user installable. DAC upgrade is a factory installed option only. The optional Phono Stage upgrade board fits onto a pair of 20-pin headers on the main tube board and signal input connectors are secured to back panel of preamp enclosure. Phono upgrade option is entirely user/dealer installable. Optional DAC upgrade MUST be done at ModWright Factory by ModWright Technicians. Design is phase inverting and this may be addressed by reversing polarity at both speaker cables, either at amp(s) or speakers.

It has HT Bypass, and a Tape Loop

Phono MM and MC, via INTERNAL resistors (better than nothing, but that sucks if you have a few cartridges)

Cartridge loading is achieved via internal dip-switches. Factory setting is 100 ohm, zero capacitance. Two 6-row dip switch banks are located on the board. Loading is as follows:  Dip Switch 1 up = 100 ohm; Dip Switch 2 up = 100 ohm.  Dip Switch 1 & 2 up = 50 ohm.  Dip Switch 3 up = 1K; Dip Switch 4 up = 1K.  Dip Switch 3 & 4 up = 500 ohm.  Dip Switch 5 up = 47K; Dip Switch 6 up = 100pf. Total gain of phono and LS stages combined equals 70dB, adjustable via preamp volume control.

Phono uses 12au7 and 12ax7 (This is unique and very interesting)

Note: Installing a second 12AU7 in place of the 12AX7 will reduce gain by 15dB, making it 9 more suitable for higher gain cartridges. If you find that your cartridge has too much gain and is overloading the phono stage, then it is recommended to power down the unit, remove power cord and replace the 12AX7 tube with a 12AU7.