2. amps-preamps
  3. 193118-3022

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
wturkey's avatar
wturkey
850 posts
 

If a remote is needed for volume control only, The Tubes4HiFi units are quite nice indeed. 

decooney
2,314 posts
 

Might as well toss Holger's preamps in the ring. Tone controls anyone?

 

Aretha - 6SL7

https://www.erhard-audio.com/Aretha_MKII.html

Europa - 6922/E88CC

https://www.erhard-audio.com/Europa.html

 

 

gotog
139 posts
 

+1 on the Erhard Audio Aretha. You can also add a tone control defeat switch, which takes the tone controls completely out of the circuit for sessions where you prefer to have a classic line preamp.

nightfall OP
224 posts
 

I have to admit that I've never even heard of the Erhard Audio Preamps, but they certainly do look interesting. Not to mention two of you recommending them. 

nightfall OP
224 posts
 

mbmi's avatar

mbmi

589 posts

 

The best is AUDIO-GD Tube preamp. They are very musical and a great value.

koestner

677 posts

 

Underwood Hi-fi offers a real warranty if you buy Audio GD through them. They fix it in Georgia, US.

 

I have a friend in Chicago that loves his Audio GD that he bought from Wally. However, he has also told me that it only performs optimally with a balanced amplifier as it was designed for balanced operation.. My amplifier(s) are single ended only. 

 

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