Looking for a new preamp Max $5k

New, or is Used an Option?

I started this here for a friend: Tube Preamp with MM and MC. Perhaps something mentioned, or will help you find something, or clarify your thinking.

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

Many Preamps that have MC, like my Luxman SQ-N150, have a single fixed impedance and gain, most often I see 100 ohm. That's limiting, but ok for my office. Main system: that's not enough. Most will advise a separate Phono Stage, my friend's quest is for a Preamp with MC options built-in.

Thank you for the comments.  The tuner was a wild want and really didn't expect to find one configured this way.

I'll spend plenty of time searching other posts for valuable information.

I will probably get lambasted for this but, I really don't understand any unit without tone controls.  There is no way all material will sound the way a listener wants strictly based on how the engineer decided the recording should should.

Please continue to offer preamp suggestions!

Thanks again.

Op  because effective analog tone controls are expensive and eq is much better done digitally most manufacturers dont employ them

Also proper eq that doesn’t srew up the musics balance is mpossible with just two tone  controls,  a recording  studio had many  bands of Eq so you can make a judicious correction. Without screwing it up

If you dont have e nnough bass  add a subwoofer 

If you don't have enough clarity, change the loudspeakers, or evaluate your entire chain are you using good cables, power conditioning, a good source, older vintage components?

If you are using digital adxd Roon to a computer and Roon comeswith a built in EQ and digital upsampling and dsd so you can add eq in a transparent manner 

Dave and Troy

AUDIO INTELLECT NJ

ROON SPECIALISTS, AND 40 YEAR HIGH End Audio VETERANS.

For the kind of money you’re willing to spend you can get a great preamp but if analogue is your love, you’re much better served getting a great dedicated phono preamp to go along with the main preamp.  They can make a huge difference compared to anything “built in” to a preamp. 
adding tuner capabilities makes you looking for something you’re far better off getting in a streamer which you can always add later. 
my all tube preamp has neither tone nor balance controls and I’ve never missed them. (Primaluna evo 400).  

Im very happy with Topping D90 preamp also look into Ladder Bache II; all reviewed on YTV sold through Amazon with $$$ back