I enjoyed a pv11 with phono and it was upgraded to pv12 status by Bill Thalmann. Midrange was superb and where it fell down was in treble extension and low bass. I enjoyed it for years and went to a Supratek Chenin which quickly showed it's superiority in above mentioned areas. I had some problems with the supratek over a few years and bought both a Vacuum tube sp-12se and then decided to buy my "final" preamp and acquired a Leben-rs28cx. The Leben is wonderful. One used went for 3 point something here on the gon a few years ago. I know because I missed it and ended up paying close to full retail for a new one. Still glad I did it.
Always been a cj fan (still use premier 12 monoblocks as my power amps and have no intention of selling them) and was at one point looking to get a ct5 or act II but because I primarily spin vinyl I did not want to then have to try to buy a Tea 1 or 2.
I have used a bunch of tube preamps over the past few decades. Lot's I have never heard and you have myriad choices in your price range. Never heard the et3 with phono, but would put that on a list. I had a friend that let me borrow a audio research sp6b and enjoyed the hell out of that driving the 12's. Looked strange but sounded great! Friend went to tubes and bought a tube Cary preamp and Cary V-12 monoblocks and that was one fine ass combination.
I do not know if a used Shindo falls under the 4k mark but that is one of the finest preamps I have heard.
Have fun in the search. I would not discount any cj or audio research but if it was my money used Shindo/Leben would be a no-brainer. Have not heard Aesthetix, Manley, and more that you probably should attempt to get in front of.
Have Fun!
Always been a cj fan (still use premier 12 monoblocks as my power amps and have no intention of selling them) and was at one point looking to get a ct5 or act II but because I primarily spin vinyl I did not want to then have to try to buy a Tea 1 or 2.
I have used a bunch of tube preamps over the past few decades. Lot's I have never heard and you have myriad choices in your price range. Never heard the et3 with phono, but would put that on a list. I had a friend that let me borrow a audio research sp6b and enjoyed the hell out of that driving the 12's. Looked strange but sounded great! Friend went to tubes and bought a tube Cary preamp and Cary V-12 monoblocks and that was one fine ass combination.
I do not know if a used Shindo falls under the 4k mark but that is one of the finest preamps I have heard.
Have fun in the search. I would not discount any cj or audio research but if it was my money used Shindo/Leben would be a no-brainer. Have not heard Aesthetix, Manley, and more that you probably should attempt to get in front of.
Have Fun!