2. amps-preamps
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Best Used Tube Based Preamp $2k Or Under?

As the title says, I am pondering my best options for purchasing a tube based preamp for $2k or under. Must have a remote! 

 

Your opinions, thoughts, and expertise would be greatly appreciated. If I was spending more, I would know most of the best choices, but I'm on unfamiliar ground at this price limit. But sometimes, you can only do what you can do. 

Thanks for any help. 

nightfall

Showing 3 responses by whitestix

whitestix
730 posts
 

My best advice is the SP-14 from Tube4Hifi, based on 6SN7 octal tubes, the very preamp that Don Sachs developed to a greater degree.  Check out their website.  I just got a Don Sachs 2 preamp and it was a bargain at $2200, a legacy unit for sure.  Lots of great suggestions above, too.

whitestix
730 posts
 

It’s Tubes4hifi…

whitestix
730 posts
 

decooney,

I have had a DS1, D2, and his latest preamp, the Raven, but needed to part with Don's 300b monos so I sold the Raven in a combo deal.  Each preamp version has improved SQ, but I also had a stock Tube4Hifi SP-14 at the same time in my bedroom system and it was stellar performer, purchased used for $1100.  With Roy Mottram's upgrades, I'd guess the new V23-K1 is quite close in performance to the DS2 and I would have bought it but for the used DS2 I found for sale.  I was looking at the Supratek preamps but as far I could tell, they are all two-box units that would not fit in my rack. 

The OP has gotten some excellent recommendations to guide his purchasing decisions.  This forum is a wonderful source of information. 

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