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I have the Graham Slee Amp2 with PSU 1. It is very musical and covers the frequency spectrum very well. I purchased it based on the reviews online, and it has held it's own very well. In the price range you specified - other than the Graham Slee I have experienced the Clearaudio Basic, Rogue, and NAD.
Of all phograph preamplifiers that I have experienced over the years at any price I would go for the Clearaudio Basic (the Basic Plus is out now) for bang for the dollar.
There was a audio store called "Sound Images" here in Northern, VA that I used to frequent. They had a Cledaraudio TT ($1200) with a Clearaudio Aurum Beta cartridge($450), and a Clearaudio Basic phonograph ($600) preamplifier. This was feeding a Ayre preamplifier and a Tag McLauren Amplifier. The loudspeakers were JM Lab Utopia ($20K).
The salesman was playing a jazz album with a 128 stop Organ note (Deepest of any instrument) on one of the tracks. When the Organ solo kicked in - the note was so deep that it could only be experienced by the loudspeaker vibrating the floor!!!!
Now, while it is easy to say "wow...that amplifier is sweet..or..the interconnect is this or that..etc" I started with the source. First thing the grooves on the record sees is the cartridge. Then the TT has an effect. And finally the phonograph preamplifier before being sent to the preamplifier and amplifier.
I eventually ordered a Clearaudio Aurum Beta S cartridge and have been very happy with it feeding the Graham Slee. Perhaps at some point I will grab the Clearaudio Basic Plus.
I have the Graham Slee Amp2 with PSU 1. It is very musical and covers the frequency spectrum very well. I purchased it based on the reviews online, and it has held it's own very well. In the price range you specified - other than the Graham Slee I have experienced the Clearaudio Basic, Rogue, and NAD.
Of all phograph preamplifiers that I have experienced over the years at any price I would go for the Clearaudio Basic (the Basic Plus is out now) for bang for the dollar.
There was a audio store called "Sound Images" here in Northern, VA that I used to frequent. They had a Cledaraudio TT ($1200) with a Clearaudio Aurum Beta cartridge($450), and a Clearaudio Basic phonograph ($600) preamplifier. This was feeding a Ayre preamplifier and a Tag McLauren Amplifier. The loudspeakers were JM Lab Utopia ($20K).
The salesman was playing a jazz album with a 128 stop Organ note (Deepest of any instrument) on one of the tracks. When the Organ solo kicked in - the note was so deep that it could only be experienced by the loudspeaker vibrating the floor!!!!
Now, while it is easy to say "wow...that amplifier is sweet..or..the interconnect is this or that..etc" I started with the source. First thing the grooves on the record sees is the cartridge. Then the TT has an effect. And finally the phonograph preamplifier before being sent to the preamplifier and amplifier.
I eventually ordered a Clearaudio Aurum Beta S cartridge and have been very happy with it feeding the Graham Slee. Perhaps at some point I will grab the Clearaudio Basic Plus.