IMHO: I've never heard a Schiit preamp that competes with the most of the options suggested to you. I'd skip Schiit for a tube preamp.
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.
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Here is an Audio Note M2 for $2750 no connection to the buyer just an AN fan here.
https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/650185472-audionote-m2-preamplifier-balanced/ |
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. |
Best of Luck on the Warranty and repairs, and shipping back and forth if you live in the USA. Here you go, enjoy, "to and fro!" http://www.audio-gd.com/Warranty-EN.htm
Warranty, reads:
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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
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mbmi589 posts The best is AUDIO-GD Tube preamp. They are very musical and a great value. koestner677 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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Nightfall, Like you, I have been looking for that perfect used tube preamp for under $2000 myself. Been through a few. Currently have an older Audible Illusions preamp that I love. Only pain was, no remote for volume control. I did find a fix. I stream music using a Wiim Pro and the Wiim comes with an optional remote that I purchased for $20. Works perfectly. Love the Audible Illusions even more now.
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@hightfall my friend had one for a year. Re-Sold it. He just wanted to try it for fun. No real "signature" that he commented about really - was a big collector of tube preamps and has owned and owns several of Dennis Had's Inspire Linestage units, another about to go up for sale later this year. He felt the sound of Holger's preamp was more dependent the 6SN7 tubes used. Buddy just wanted to try one with tone controls and you might even notice the loudness switch too. Kinda fun. All in the signal path of course when switched on. Nobody does that any more, so its really something different. Best to contact Holger and talk with him directly, he's been doing these for a while. Its an option and kinda unique. Are there better preamps, sure. |
I don’t know if there is any flexibility in your budget, but if you look at the deHavilland website, I believe the current price for a new UltraVerve 3 preamp is $2495. I spoke to them a while back and I believe they now include the remote. I don’t have any first hand experience with it, but based on what I’ve read, I’ve considered buying it myself. If you are interested in a Rogue RP1 preamp, which is a decent reasonably priced tube preamp with a remote, I have one that I would consider selling, so you could PM me if you have any interest. |
The SP14 is, IMO, one of the great buys in audio. Rich and linear like the Cary SLP-98 but *much* more transparent and responsive, with a quieter background. Compared to the SP14 I find the Cary a bit thick and slow, but still very musical. The Don Sachs versions are nice upgrades and can be found used (he no longer makes them) but the newer SP14s are no slouches. They’re based on John Broskie’s "Aikido" noise cancellation circuit, next to the Williamson amplifier one of the great contributions to public domain audio circuits. I would also look at the LTA Velo, which is a preamp/headphone amp but just about in your budget range. David Berning is a brilliant designer. I haven't heard the DeHavilland but I have very good memories of their 76-based preamp, which was super-musical. |
riche56915 posts I don’t know if there is any flexibility in your budget, but if you look at the deHavilland website, I believe the current price for a new UltraVerve 3 preamp is $2495. I spoke to them a while back and I believe they now include the remote. I don’t have any first hand experience with it, but based on what I’ve read, I’ve considered buying it myself. \ Thanks. I thought they were out of business. I checked the website, and the UltraVerve 3 preamp, with remote, is $2995.00. Thats a grand over my budget and definitely not possible. |
This is my last correspondence with Kara (feb 2020).
I don’t know if the sabbatical ended but the website seems to have just remained static. There is this comment on a USAM ad for a preamp (already sold) that indicates some work is still being done by Kara. Best to email.
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@nightfall "I would love a CL38uC, but in checking, they go for $3500-4k!” in JP used cl38uc pre goes for less than $2k.. ebay offers start at $2.8k, incl. shipping (lowest I’ve seen n years): https://www.ebay.com/itm/156670112426.. buying used tube stuff you might need additional check / maintenance, no difference to many other older stuff sold in US / else.. |
there will no be SQ impact, just pick the right device! there are many transformers between your outlet and high-kV power station already installed! why do you need step-up to get 100V ac, typo? I use multiple low loss / leakage Nissyo TP-811 for <100W loads, when I need less than 100v ac plug.. for power amps transformers need to be large enough, that’s all! |
I have a Schiit Freya + and a Supratek Chardonnay. Both are very good preamps but the Supratek is my favorite of the two. It does everything well, has variable gain on output so you can better match to your amp, balanced input and output, and remote.. Buy one. You’ll love it. If you don’t, just sell it. There’s a nice one on USAM right now for $1500. https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/650185743-supratek-chardonnay-preamplifier/ |
That Supratek for $1500 looks quite amazing. (Review here: https://6moons.com/audioreviews/supratek/chardonnay.html) Here’s a question, @nightfall -- do you have anyone near you that could fix or upgrade equipment, should you have the need? I have had much gear tweaked and in a couple cases fixed by a local audio guy. Having that relationship could be the make-or-break factor in your ability to take chances on various pieces of gear, used or new. I found my guy by first finding the audio club in my town and then asking them where they got their gear fixed. It’s been smooth sailing since then. |
hilde455,082 posts That Supratek for $1500 looks quite amazing. (Review here: https://6moons.com/audioreviews/supratek/chardonnay.html)
I have been thinking a lot about this Supratek. Great deal. They have always had great reviews and commentary about the products. My initial concern was I had believed that Mick had shut down the business. Which I still think he did, at some point. But mofimadness notes that he is back up and operating. Still, if there were issues, Australia is a long way to have to ship something. And I don’t have a good local tech to rely on. Closest is a five hour drive to Chicago. And in the end, the real deal breaker is no remote again :( |
Yeah, I'm an old tube-roller who has spent many years restoring vintage gear. IMHO, the finest pre-1970s amp I've worked with was the original Quad 2 monoblock. You can sometimes find them cheap online. I had a pair restored by the factory and it was worth every penny. These little Class A amps have to be paired with the right speakers -- no Magneplanars, thank you! -- but when you do, they're remarkable. In my case, I used them with a restored set of original Quad ESLs. Dead friggin' quiet, fast as heck, transparent and overall, as J. Gordon once said, downright pants-wetting. Yeah, they're not for everyone by any means, but I just wanted to add my 2c. Gear that you still remember fondly 20 years later doesn't come around too often.
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I've been following your query/thread with interest because a while back I was also looking for a tube pre-amp, with remote for $2000. If I may, I'd recommend either an ARC LS15, or a Sonic Frontiers Linestage 1 or 2. Both come with remotes and with both XLR and RCA inputs/outputs you have synergy with a large number of power amps and upstream sources. They are also both a tube rollers delight, using 6922 signal tubes and variants. Soundwise, both are slightly on the warm side of neutral. Between the two, I thought the SF had a much beefier power supply, providing a more robust sound, while the LS15 had transparency in spades. Both imaged quite well. Something else that may interest you down the road--the ability to upgrade the capacitors and power supplies without paying an arm and a leg. FWIW--after auditioning both the ARC and a SF 2+SE, I went with the LS-15 because it was $250 less. It was a close choice, and I would have been happy with either. I hope you are enjoying your search. No doubt, whatever you choice you will enjoy the music! David
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Anyone have experience with the somewhat new LAB 12 Pre1? Its gotten consistently excellent reviews. Its $2400.00 new and they sell for about $1700.00, used.
Herb Reichert, in Stereophile, said (in a comparison with two much more expensive preamps) "I regard all three preamps as sitting at or near the leading edge of what's possible with line-level preamplification." |
I own a Supratek Cabernet. Mick made it new in 2023. It is fantastic pre that performs way above it’s price. If you can find one used with remote I would recommend it highly. They are made with remotes. Johnny Slate is the USA tech located in North Carolina. Mick has been dealing with health issues of late. Last I heard 2 months ago Mick has suspended his building until his health improves. Hope he is doing well. Lab12 makes great components priced very well. I owned their Dac1 Reference and was very impressed with the SQ and build quality. |
@durkn Your Vtl 2.5 & 5.5 were they older models with large volume knobs or the newer series ? I'm curious to know the difference between the VTL 2.5 & 2.5i ? wonder if it is a large upgrade. I never see the newer VTL 2.5i on the used market. I use NOS tubes on my VTL 2.5 my VTL has the small volume knob, but is still just a 2.5 not a 2.5i.made in 2013. A VTL 5.5 brings you into a much pricer range, then It opens you to much more comparisons with expensive models like LTA Microzotl, Atma-sphere,VAC etc... Even the newer VTL 2.5i is close to the same price as a Cary SLP-05. I would love to hear a comparison on those two models. Sorry I'm getting away from OP topic of a used tube Pre with remote under $2K. I just love comparing tube preamps, really changes the signature of a stereo setup.
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@nightfall Lab 12 comes from Greece. It’s relatively new here. The other boutique choices have questionable presence when it comes to support. Sonics are questionable as well. In both cases you should have a plan for a scenario when you end up with a tubed paperweight. If you don’t mind it then go for the boutique stuff. |
