I would certainly put Music First Pre-Amp on the short list. It is passive pre-amp with S&B trainnies and it sounds really good. There are two versions of it: one silver and one copper (cheaper). Both of them are really good and will outperform many much more excpencive active, SS or tube, pre-amps. You have to hear it to believe it ...
best preamps in the 4K-8K range
I'm looking for some opinions on preamps. My current system is: Ayre Cx-7 CD player, Arcam AV8 preamp, Cary 500 MB monoblocks (currently using arcam P7 preamp, but have the Carys on order), Dali euphonia MS4 speakers, Richard Gray Power. I find m current system nice, but slightly analytical, and not as 3-dimentional as I'd like. I'd also like some more musicality with a touch of warmth. I have been thinking about BAT, Cary, Herron and Pass labs preamps--some would need to be picked up used on audiogon to stay in my price range. I would certainly appreciate any thoughts on what might go well with my system from any audiogoners. Thanks