2. amps-preamps
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Best Option In A Tube Preamp $1,800 Or Less - Used

As the title says, I am looking for my best option in a tube preamp with an $1,800.00 price limit. I would be buying used to maximize purchasing power and value.

This will be paired with a First Watt F6 power amplifier. This is a wonderful amp, and with the right dose of tube magic from a pre, should make a great combination. I would appreciate your thoughts on my best potential choices which will add the golden glow of tubes to this scenario. Thanks for any assistance.
nightfall
analogluvr
859 posts
 
Bottlehead Beepre
zavato's avatar
zavato
1,391 posts
 
The best tubed preamp I have ever owned was a CJ Premier 17LS2. Not sure what they go for now, but wow, a fantastic preamp. Till recently, I thought that CJ was the best pre I've ever owned. The title now goes to my XP20 ( Pass)
mapman's avatar
mapman
21,863 posts
 
I have an ARC sp16 that I think is exceptional and can be had in that price range. It includes built in phono pre-amp as well. There is a good reason ARC has been around and been as successful as they have all these years while many lines have come and gone ie quality, support, service and good value.
bdp24's avatar
bdp24
9,458 posts
 
And there is an SP-16 available on Audiogon right now, at a good price.
pdspecl
254 posts
 
I'd like to recommend a Doge Clarity tube preamp. I've owned a VTL 2.5, Tad 150 Signature. N.E.W (Cary) pre, Ming Da (Response Audio fully modded), Mike Elliott modded Counterpoint preamp. The Doge betters all of my previous preamps. Certainly not suggesting it's the best preamp at this price point but it's worth considering once you swap to good NOS tubes. Has remote and a very decent tube phono stage that accommodates MM and MC carts
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