Best Budget Preamp, whats out there?

I agree with Sdcampbell about the Adcom GFP-750 preamp.An outstanding preamp for the $$$.

Exertfluffer,
No offense, but the Adcom GFP-750 is not as bad as you make it out to be!
I have tried and listened to several preamps in my, and in my friends systems, and we consistently prefer it over the others! Its not perfect, no preamp is, but is not bad at all.
I recently bought a John Curl designed Parasound P/LD 2000 preamp, and then a Pass Labs X-2.5 preamp. They were great preamps, but I wound up selling both of them and buying another ADCOM GFP-750! It sounded the best in my system! My friends even agreed that I made the right decision!
Until something comes along that I truly think sounds better and is really worth the extra price difference, I am going to stick with the Adcom.
I know you hate the Adcom, that is obvious. But there are lots of people out there who feel differently about it.
It is the best selling preamp at Audio Advisor and other dealers right now, so it can't be as bad as you make it out to be.I feel that it is competitive with many preamps that cost several times its modest cost.
Just my two cents.

One more thing: The Adcom is a great value!
Where else can you get true balanced CD inputs, true balanced outputs, gold-plated inputs and outputs, a full function remote control, an external processor loop for HT processors, a CHOICE OF ACTIVE OR PASSIVE OUTPUTS, a mono switch, and simple Nelson Pass designed Class A, single gain stage, balanced fully discrete differential circuitry, with no feed back for the Active Stage for $600.00 to $700.00 used? The circuitry is basically just a variation on the Pass Aleph P and Aleph L's design.

Thank you, Bigtee.I agree with your findings 100%.I am glad other people are also willing to give the Adcom GFP-750 its due besides me!
My next goal is to find a used Audible Illusions L-2 line-stage.I have heard alot of great things about it also!
If you are willing to go all passive, Iamcrazy111, I would highly recommend the Placette Passive or the Bent Audio NOH,
also.

Iamcrazy111,
Another suggestion: If you are interested in a DIRT CHEAP active preamp, that sounds really good, I'd go with a used Parasound P/LD-1100, P/HP-850, or an Adcom GFP-565 preamp.
Cheap and good sounding!