Anyone own one of these preamps ?

For something completely different...

I've not seen this preamp mentioned in the discussions, however, if one were to ignore price points and just review preamps for the features they have, and how they sound, I can highly recommend the Akitika PR-102 Preamp.  Available as a kit, or one can order it factory-built, it has options for a remote control of volume & balance, has multiple amp outputs for use with mono-block amps (also great for A/B comparisons), it also features mute & hush capabilities, and multiple tape inputs for mixing, as well as 4 line inputs and a phono stage (optional), a Headphone amp output (optional Front Panel output), Tone control switching (in or out), and many other functions...  Price- all features including parts and labor are about $900-$1K ( yes $1000)  If you can find a preamp with all these features and sounds like an $8-10K preamp, that is great value and performance-  also made here in USA too.  It's also Solid-State, so it won't make a tube amp sound overly warm and it doesn't color the sound, it has a very neutral tone/sound quality, as it should for a solid-state preamp.  I use a PR-102 with our tube amps all the time and and it never gets any attention, which suggests that preamp is doing its job quite well.  Except for the ugly illuminated Green power switch (I changed mine to a Black un-illuminated switch).  I suggest one visit the Akitika website, or visit Update My Dynaco.com for more info...  The downside:  No XLR / Balanced interfaces, RCA only interface.  However, think its time to suggest Dan make an XLR upgrade....

Ancient 'phile here. Owned a lot of kit over the decades. but for the last ~8 years a dac/pre; Audio Alchemy  DDP-1, which died about 4 months ago. Thinking it might cost to much to repair, I contacted AA but got no response, which was a blessing in disguise. Being retired living on SS ans a small monthly insurance stipend, even used hi-end kit is out of h question. I had been watching YTVs (made by several non-hi-end reviewers) about various Asian companies making quality audio, but as a Amazon not only do they carry most of the brands I was curious about, but free returns AND 6 no interest payments: first I bought a SMSL PL200T top loading transport, and partly because it decodes MQA (I know not many many of  them available, but still)... Amazing for $500. Next I bought a Topping D90iii Dac/Pre; a one bit, discrete, fully balanced @ $999 (MSRP of AA  when new was $2600), and as good as. Reading more, several reviewers urged getting a preamp. I bought the Topping D90 @$900) . IMHO, all outstanding value for < a quality used transport, dac or pre. High end prices are dinosaurs. HTH

Does he want MM phono in the preamp?

My friend wanted a Tube Preamp, with both MM and MC, so I started this, IF your friend would go for tubes

https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/tube-preamp-with-full-featured-phono-both-mm-and-lomc-with-loading-opt

Many members here gave advice which might help you refine your thinking/choices.

I've had a Herron 360 ESP for under a year. It's a remarkable piece, with a soft start, plenty of connections, and a neutrality that does not call out for any particular attention. I enjoy that it plays low volume quite well, but has an enormous clean range as that volume goes up. I have not swapped tubes, although I have a set of spares. It's feeding a pair of Herron M1 monoblocks. I've used it with a CJ Classic 62SE with great results as well.

Drawbacks? Keith has retired, and the remote isn't my favorite. The volume control has detents, but these don't correspond to the displayed volume numbers directly. I might be the 4th person with the 360. One of our 360s is on the market as we speak at a fair price. Heck, I paid more a few months ago to complete a Herron stack, with no regrets. The speakers for this system are Vandersteen 2ceSigs, and they've served well for the room that they're in with the Herron electronics.

What does it do? It can play all day cleanly at any volume. It is walk-into-the-room-just-to-listen to all the clarity and richness of music; hypnotic if that music calls to you.  It will still excel with quiet listening as the day winds down. I could wax on, but this is enough. 

@elliottbnewcombjr no, he’s got a standalone phono preamp…but tons of solid feedback in these posts for him to chew on.   Appreciated.