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Best budget preamp for Aragon 8008bb and Thiel 3.6

I am rounding out my "new to me" system. So far I have Thiel CS3.6's. For this very hard to drive speaker pair I have an Aragon 8008bb on order. Next are the preamp and source. The vintage and costs of the previous on the used market should give you some idea of where I am price wise.

I am not particularly interested in looks or bells and whistles. Sound is what counts. I once called myself a "connoiseur of the most for the least". Well, that's not quite true, but if I can get it done for less my wife is happy, and when my wife is happy I feel like a King!

I once again turn myself to those more expert than I (that means you)!

Thank you for any ideas you may have on a preamp for me,
Ron
starsandseas

Showing 1 response by mingles

mingles
800 posts
 
You can't go wrong with the Bottlehead Foreplay. They have an excellent reputation, a strong following and good resale value.

Cary AE-3's come up from time to time for $300-350 used. They have a tiny footprint and sound very nice. I had one for a while.

The Eastern Electric MiniMax gets rave reviews and goes for $500-600 used. Six Moons reviewed it a few years ago.

Personally, I don't care for passive preamps matched with solid state amps. If you had a tube amp, I'd second the Promitheus suggestion in a heartbeat. For $300 used, they're impossible to beat.
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