The Mystere ca21 sounds fantastic. Brand new, it is $2300, but Kevin Deal at Upscale Audio may have a demo that he would sell you for less. He also likes the Mystere ca11, which is less expensive still.
While I agree that the resale value on Chinese products generally stinks, I will tell you that I replaced an Aesthetix Calypso ($5K retail) and a Manley Jumbo Shrimp ($3.5K) with the Mystere ca21 ($2.2K). The Mystere trumps both of those preamps -- it has a much better, wider soundstage, deeper bass, and a seductive mid-range and treble. I am using it with a Pass 150.5. The combination of the Mystere and Pass cost about 40% less than my previous setup, which was a VAC Phi 200 and the Aesthetix Calypso, and I have never been happier than I am now.
For what it's worth, Dick Olsher concluded his review of the Mystere ca21 by saying it sounds better than any preamp he has heard up to a retail price of $8K.
While I agree that the resale value on Chinese products generally stinks, I will tell you that I replaced an Aesthetix Calypso ($5K retail) and a Manley Jumbo Shrimp ($3.5K) with the Mystere ca21 ($2.2K). The Mystere trumps both of those preamps -- it has a much better, wider soundstage, deeper bass, and a seductive mid-range and treble. I am using it with a Pass 150.5. The combination of the Mystere and Pass cost about 40% less than my previous setup, which was a VAC Phi 200 and the Aesthetix Calypso, and I have never been happier than I am now.
For what it's worth, Dick Olsher concluded his review of the Mystere ca21 by saying it sounds better than any preamp he has heard up to a retail price of $8K.