Highest value pre under 1.5k used?

You can get a new Belles Aria pre for that. Warning though, I’ve had the more expensive Bells Aria Signature on order for over 3 months now, and Johnny at Audio Connection is checking on it’s status for me this week. I’m trying to be patient. You might try Johnny about the ‘standard’ Aria, heck, he might have one in stock, don’t know.

There is a used Counterpoint 3000 listed here on Agon right now. I understand a nice pre. It’s a bit over your budget though, maybe they would entertain an offer. You can find Counterpoint pre’s on the used market and know they are well regarded, but out off business now.

Good luck.

@bkeske  Feel your pain as I waited much longer than promised for Belles Aria Monoblocs, but it was worth the wait, however painful :)

I later bought a used Belles Aria pre to front the monoblocs, and couldn't be happier with the result.  I look forward to hearing your opinion of the Signature version.

@doni

I later bought a used Belles Aria pre to front the monoblocs, and couldn't be happier with the result.  I look forward to hearing your opinion of the Signature version

Thanks for that. Yes, I will be patient. johnny said the Signature version is definitely the way to go, so trusting Johnny, jumped on it and will be patient, even if it take a couple more month. Just can't wait to hear it in the chain. 😉

Easy, the Topping pre90 ($500) + Ext90 ($250, optional). Look at the preamp used by this Stereophile reviewer,

Perlisten S7t loudspeaker | Stereophile.com

I have the same preamp and it is great with the Benchmark AHB2 (also good with Parasound A21+). It had some volume issues with a few other amps I tried it with. 

A Benchmark LA4 preamp which may be available at a used price of $1500, a new one is $2600. It sounds exactly like the Topping pre90 but it works perfectly with all amps I have used with it. It also has better features than the pre90

The Topping pre90 and Benchmark LA4 are preamps you use of you do not want the preamp to add to the sound.

Check out Aric Audio. He makes a tube preamp within your budget. He can configure it to your needs. Great guy to deal with.