If you don't need a remote and don't mind an older preamp in the $600 or under price range my favorites are the McCormack TLC-1 Passive Preamp and an Accuphase C200.
If you need a remote a favorite of mine is the Kavent S-33 preamp. It also goes by the Vincent Audio SA-93.
Tube wise I've read good things about the Dared SL2000A.
To get better help let members here know what other components you have in your system or other gear you have enjoyed in the past. Also letting members know what you feel is lacking with your current system will help with recommendations as well.
I'm not sure how it matches up against the above suggestions but I had a Marsh preamp about 10 years ago that performed very well for the money. It did come with a remote which you need to keep in mind when considering older models. Marsh had a good phono section too, as I recall.
preamps require care in system matching, so one that sounds outstanding with a specific amp and speaker may sound dreadful in your room. i've been through a few - counterpoint, aesthetix, etc - and am currently using a placette passive. given the appropriate gear around it, it's an absolutely stellar unit. depending on the number of sources you've got, the placette RVC may work and can be found used for a little over your stated budget.
Thank you everyone for your thoughtful comments. Yes, I should have mentioned that I am new to the forum. I am just starting a poor man's sound system. I have a Conrad Johnson SA-250 ss power amp arriving any day now. I am looking for some Maggies. Will run an Marantz CD5004. Vinyl will be played on a B&O (I don't recall the model) using a NAD PP2. Sounds like a power condition is important, too.
Again, thank you!
PS: Anyone out there running a Dynaco PAS 3 into a SS amp?
I have 3 modded PAS 3 which I use with SS amps, as good as most 1500-2k units. IMO best is Bottlehead Foreplay which sounds about as good as anything except in last octave of bass, which is still OK.
However, neither seem to show up here much lately .
Thank you Viridian. Interesting idea. How many hours of assembly does the Smash (or the TSGG) take, and does one have to be a very skilled with the solder gun?
Get an Acurus L10 or R11. These are known as good quality pres that have good mil spec components and can be upgraded easily and with great return on investment. Mine cost me $250 used. Do a Google search and you will find reviews on them and that they are popular among budget audio lovers.
I've owned 3 of the four and seen inside the Jolida,PAS 3 and Bottlehead are easy to fix, odds are great you will end up throwing the others away because they will surely need re-capping etc and you won't like the price , assuming you even find some one to do it.
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