best bang for the buck tube preamp?

Here's one that will be great to play with starting out 2006 Dared SL-2000a. Look around on Agon, a used one runs about $350. Make sure it's a 2006 model..so you get two outputs.

Used Eastern Electric Minimax

The EE Minimax is a great one, especially if you can find it at $500. I had forgot about that one.

The Bottlehead Seduction preamp would be a great amp for the money. On the side you learn some DIY. And if not interested in DIY at all, you can find them used on Agon sometime.

The Quicksilver pre runs around $550 and gets some great comments as well. My favorite sub 1k tube amp is the Fi Y, although that one never comes up used and is usually discounted only 10-20% from new.

Also, not a tube pre, but the Promitheus TVC passive preamp sound like a great deal for the money. There is a 6moon review coming up.

Good luck!

Rene