Unfortunately, the Blue Circle amp probably wouldn't be the best match for it, but the Placette Passive Linestage sounds like what you are looking for. It is the best "pre" I have heard under $3k and as for a list that I have compared it to that it bettered: Rotel RC-995, Krell KRC-3, Musical Fidelity A3cr, Linn Wakonda, Mark Levinson 380, Conrad Johnson PV-10B and PV-14. Why don't you try one of the Blue Circle BC3 preamps? My friend brought his over and I was very impressed, it has a very large, lush, open, alive sound. It definately has some tube character/coloration but in a very good way.
Best 2K preamp, be it tube or SS
I am considering really, REALLY, really hard to figure out what to do with my preamp section. I bought a First Sound Presence Deluxe MKI one year ago and although I like the sound, I am pondering about having it revised to the MKII edition, but at the same time, I wonder if I should go for a different sort of pre for the same money....Was looking at Rowlands, the new Synergys or the old Consummates. I am looking for something revealing, but not necessarily harsh, and no, I am not interested in the Audio Illusions nor in Sonic Frontiers....I had the SF, liked it, but at this stage, I am looking for something refined, around the 2K range, used, that would give me the hump I am so craving for. This pre can be tubed or SS, as long as it will give me an improvement I am searching for. Separate power supply, optional.