Thanks for the input. I would love to spend less than $2000, if possible so will look at the Aleph P as a possibility. I hadn't thought about a GSX. I would love to have a remote which would rule out the GSX, it's over my price range and I have the b22. From what I recalll, I thought the b22 was probably not the best candidate for a preamp.
I made an offer on the BAT VK-5i.