Tube Preamp Recommendations please to partner with Parasound JC-1's....


I would appreciate recommendations from the Audiogon community for a tube preamp with balanced outputs to use with a pair of Parasound JC-1 's.   Having a good built-in MC phono stage is a real plus. 
Looking for something used at less tha $5k. 

Considering a McIntosh C2300.....is there anything else I should consider?
Currently using an Audio Aero Prestige CD with built-in pre amp.  The goal is to improve musicality and add a bit of warmth (better mid-bass).  Speakers are Piega P-10's. 

Recommendations will be greatly appreciated. Thanks.  
128x128gerryn

Showing 2 responses by vegasears

At your price range it's hard to beat the Mcintosh C2300.  I recently purchased an NOS Mcintosh C2500 on this site and could not be happier.   
I use VTL 450MKII tubed mono blocks. There are a few of us who purchased NOS close-out C2500's lurking about. I would have been happy with the C2300.  My understanding is, with the C2500 Mc added a DAC to the package and a few other control features but sound wise the C2500 is pretty much the same as the C2300. So picking the C2500 came down to paying a little more for new and the three year warranty. 

Good Luck.