Tube Pre

i have beem looking for the same thing. And i think i'm going with the BAT VK - 51SE. because it will fit into the system that i have now pretty well plus my system is runing in Balance mode. just have to save up a little longer.

Moemoney,

I'm not sure if this is what you meant, but the 51SE does not have a phono option. The 31SE does have a phono option.

Consider the Supratek Syrah. I have mine paired up with a SMCAudio/MacCormack DNA 0.5 Platinum and am quite pleased with the results. There are a lot of threads about this pre here (see "best preamps under 10K" for example).

Happy listening,

What's your budget? What is the rest of your system, etc etc.???

My system is Roksan TMS2, Artemiz, XV1-S, Dynavector L300/P300, 2 x Dynavector HX1.2 MkII amps biamping Neat Ultimatum MF9. I have an EAR 864 on loan and I'm really enthused by the sound I'm getting with the Dynavector amps. Budget is whatever it takes to get what I want (within reason, of course!).

The Cary 98L would be my first choice.

"Phono stage must be SOTA" - If you are particular about your phono stage it might be pretty tuff to find exactly the sound you want as a built in.

If you're willing to wait 6-9 months it doesn't get any better than the Supratek Grange. Good luck!