Analogue pre amp recommendation

I would always go for a tubed preamp. After fifty years at this… we’ll executed tube preamps will always be more musical than solid state designs. Rouge is the best choice in my opinion.

Rogue RP-1 is a good choice. It’s got a decent phono stage as well if you ever going to need OneDrive. You can pick up a used RP-1 for around $1000.

Another choice would be a used Audio Research LS17. Look for other Audio Research options as well even if slightly older. 

 

You won’t be able to preview it and system synergy is always a dominant factor, but 2K will get you a Supratek Chardonnay if you don’t need phono. N if 1, but I’m so thrilled with my recently inserted Cortese that I have left a pair of vandersteen 7’s sit upstairs for over two weeks.