Yamaha C5000... impossible to get a better full-function pre under 20k, ime...about a 120 hours of burn-in is required to make it drop jaws.
I understand though.. the run of the mill audiopheulele wouldn’t look at it because ’Yamaha’ couldn’t possibly make him feel all that ’elusive’. There are plenty of other blank crap shooters with all the elusive marketing in that price bracket for such elusive elves. 😁