Best Used Tube Based Preamp $2k Or Under?

I have researched this a lot. If you can keep an eye out for a DeHavilland UltraVerve III on the used sites, snap it up. They come up and they are really exceptional.

@nightfall I'm no expert, but I'm always browsing tube preamps to see what's out there. Mainly looking for a truly wire balanced preamp.

From my searches on the used market here are a few suggestions.

Cary audio SLP-98 with 6SN7 tubes (many say these tubes sound great)

VTL older 2.5 (I own one built in 2013 it's a tank)

Modwright  SWL 9.0 or LS100

BAT (Many versions)

Prima Luna

Audio Research (Many older versions)

My preference is the CARY or VTL, from what I have read only. I'm sure there are many users with real experience on here.

I would second (from reading and friends' experiences):

Cary audio SLP-98 with 6SN7 tubes (many say these tubes sound great)
VTL older 2.5 (I own one built in 2013 it's a tank
Modwright  SWL 9.0 or LS100

I also would really look hard at Aric Audio, e.g.: this one.
Or another.
Aric is very polite, writes back quickly, engaged in his work, great customer reviews and reports.

Aric is a great guy, and makes wonderful stuff. I own one of his 300B power amps. But the preamp you recommended, while I am sure is outstanding,  is $4200.00 new, and you could go years without finding one used. 

hilde45, thanks for that recommendation. Honestly, the DeHavilland UltraVerve III is at the top of my wish list. However, as you know, these only rarely pop up for sale, and the vast majority seem to be units without remote control. :(

Thanks also to those who have recommended Cary SLP-98's, another unit I was considering, though they seem to be selling a bit over my $3k limit. And the Modwright LS100 is also a great recommendation you provided. I once owned one, and would have no trouble buying another one.  

Lots of people rave about the Quicksilver preamp. 

Would a remote control be needed? 

I’m confused is your limit $2k or $3k?

I was going to recommend Rogue RP1 under $2k used it’s around $1k. 

Used Don Sachs preamps pop up occasionally around $2k. 

I would go used. 

Audio Research

Conrad Johnson

Prima Luna

As far up the model level you can go. No more than ten years or so old.

@nightfall Thanks also to those who have recommended Cary SLP-98’s, another unit I was considering, though they seem to be selling a bit over my $3k limit. And the Modwright LS100 is also a great recommendation you provided. I once owned one, and would have no trouble buying another one.

I wonder what you decided about moving beyond the MW LS100 and why - if you don’t mind the ak? I’m a happy Cary SLP-98 long term owner, and also enjoy following Dan’s designs for MW too. Good stuff. Like hearing from MW owners.

Looking back some I see Dan used/shipped some of the exact same OEM 6SN7 tubes I've used in my own 98 preamp.  Can share my own preamp is hyper-sensitive to the different 6sN7s I’ve tried in it. Tried more than a few.  Wondering why you moved on and what tubes you tried in our LS100 if you don’t mind sharing more as you seek another preamp.

If your budget is as high as $3k I’d look for a Conrad Johnson ET3.  Only takes one tube so you can roll til your hearts content to get the exact flavor you’re looking for.

If you can find Tsakadiris Alexander preamp buy it. I got mine at TMRaudio.$1100 . 

There is a Cary SLP-98 on US audio mart right now for $2000usd. It's an older posting.

I find the Cary SLP98 usually prices at $2000 - $2300 depending on upgrades.

Not many VTL's get posted in the used market. I guess everyone is happy keeping their VTL, like myself. :)

@nightfall 

Honestly, the DeHavilland UltraVerve III is at the top of my wish list. However, as you know, these only rarely pop up for sale, and the vast majority seem to be units without remote control. 

I'd like to push back very politely about this a little (totally friendly-like!).

First, I set an alert for the DeHavilland in USAM. I was surprised they came up somewhat regularly. To test my claim, click HERE (HiFi Shark) and search Used/Expired and look at the dates.

As for remote control -- someone might be able to add one.

Second, the Cary preamp has SIX 6SN7 tubes. That's a lot of tubes. The Dehavilland has one.

Third, I had the Quicksilver Preamp. It comes up used often. It is quiet and sounds good but a bit dry, clinical. No tube changes made that better. I think the 6SN7 is a better preamp tube.

@nightfall the Cary preamp has SIX 6SN7 tubes. That's a lot of tubes. The Dehavilland has one.

I believe the Cary slp-98 only requires 4 X 6SN7

https://carydirect.com/shop-now/preamplifiers/slp-98l.html

@hilde45 Second, the Cary preamp has SIX 6SN7 tubes. That’s a lot of tubes. The Dehavilland has one.

Slight correction, fyi. Requires FOUR (4), not SIX. The other smaller 12xx7 are for phono section, if you choose to have phono. Yep, it does require a quad of 6SN7s though. Find your best quad, and order a backup quad for spares if you like them.

Tried several, still using either PSVANE or TJ Full Music in my 98 now. They are as good or better than any of my vintage 6SN7 black plates now stored away.  

https://caryaudio.com/products/slp-98/

To answer your questions, as noted in the title of this discussion, my max budget is $2k,

Yes, a remote is critical. 

As for the Dehavilland pre's, I have not found anyone who has, has every heard of, or has any idea of how a remote could be added. 

I only sold the Modwright due to a forced downsizing because of circumstances quite a few years back. It was an excellent unit. There was a specific combination of tubes that Dan told me took it to another level. I don't recall what those were. I am a big Modwright fan,and have spent a bit of time with Dan, phone and at shows. 

And yes, the quad of 6SN7's that the Cary SLP-98 uses concerns me a bit because of what a costs for a nice quad of those  NOS tubes. 

Oh, and hilde45. Thanks VERY much for your perspective on that Quicksilver preamp. That sound signature is not what I'm seeking. That said, Mike isa great guy and has made some extremely nice power amps in his time. 

i’ve only been thru about 100 6 series preamp tubes… microphonic…. many people like that….

ARC would be my choice, then Herron, VTL, Modwright in a tight tie….

agree on Quickie amps

@nightfall and others -- sorry FOUR 6SN7 tubes rather than SIX. My bad.

I still prefer having a preamp with one. Why? Cost: they range in price but maybe $30 bucks and up (times four). I'd rather spend money on having a variety of 6SN7 tubes to try different sounds with. I don't want to buy multiple quads. IMHO, having amps with that many tubes is what would push me toward a solid state preamp.

Sure thing about the QS. I upgraded the caps in my preamp and still didn’t wind up keeping it.

IMHO, the biggest bargain in high-end audio is a refurbed Audible Illusions M3A. Art works on these himself, replaces everything that is needed for it to look, test and sound as new. Comes with a warranty and a new set of tubes.  Sorry, no remote though.

Highly recommended!

I've been using a deHavilland Ultraverve 3 for a few years now.  You won't be disappointed.

OP, others

You can expand your buying power/choices to full featured vintage equipment without remote control:

In order to get remote control for any vintage equipment, simply add a Chase Remote Line Controller, RLC-1. That let’s me use my beloved McIntosh MX110z tube tuner/preamp.

You get very precise 1 db steps of remote: volume, balance, mute, treble, bass, and 1 switched power outlet.

Other remote volume devices exist, but this is the only one I know of with remote balance. Once you have it, you won’t want to ever live without remote balance again.

this old ad shows it well

https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/649391586-chase-technologies-rlc1-remote-line-controller/images/1694269/

you MUST have a KP-1 Remote, no controls on the unit. One remote listed on hifishark now.

A unit without a remote for sale: if seller confirms it’s lights all blink when plugged in, that’s normal, thus no guarantee but likely a good unit.

@nightfall And yes, the quad of 6SN7's that the Cary SLP-98 uses concerns me a bit because of what a costs for a nice quad of those  NOS tubes. 

I have a set of very nice 4+2 [quad plus two spares] of 1960s Sylvania 6SN7GT Black Plates stored away - no longer in use. No need. They were originally NOS, now low use vintage. Guess what, my current re-issues from TJ Full Music and PSVANE Art Series MKII beat them sonically to my preference. The vintage have detail just not the smoothness and texture I hear from tubes I can buy new now. Imo, the older vintage tubes are old and getting to be long in the tooth now. They are my backups.The question on the new tubes is how long they'll last. So far so good on mine.  

I have notes on what Dan used in the Modwrights Preamps shipped out stock 5-7 years ago. I use the same OEM tubes rebranded from same provider, originally. 

Depends on the rest of your system.  I tend to go with the Hippocratic oath wrt audio: First, Do No Harm.

By harm I mean overprocessing the signal.  So if you agree with that and have a simple signal path with minimal processing, then get a point to point pre by decware, Apollo, Aric or similar.   Apollo is an undiscovered gem and is still more affordable.

If you don't agree with my methodology, than that is why I kept it short, so you wouldn't waste too much time reading it.

Jerry

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.

It’s Tubes4hifi…

If you lived in Australia I could sell you a 110v Aesthetix Calypso for just under US$2000 as I have upgraded to a VTL 5.5. The VTL is an upgrade but not by a lot.

another vote for Aesthetix…and you can get factory upgrades…

@mazian What's the sound signature of the Aesthetix Calypso, compared to VTL ? I would love to upgrade my VTL 2.5 to a VTL 5.5(balanced ins/Outs) I've heard it's a big jump. seems to be double the price of a used VTL 2.5.

BTW, I'm different than most, I think the communication with VTL is very good. Lots of haters for VTL service.

Dodd Battery Powered Preamp.  About 1 a year comes up for sale and sells fast.  Widely regarded as one of, if not the quietest preamp ever made.  Super simple signal path.  End game for me...and apparently for many that hear it.

Another vote for the Don Sachs DS2.

Audio Research SP-9 $1250 on eBay. Seller notes recent service and excellent overall condition, manual and spare tubes. This is a screaming deal from a recognized high end brand. I would add that the adjustable gain allows proper gainstaging and optimized signal/noise ratio that is simply unachievable with other preamps lacking that ability. That translates to greater transparency, definition, detail, and soundstaging, all of which require a low noise floor. 

If i wasn't preamp heavy right now I'd buy this myself. 

I have several preamps, among them Coincident Statement, Cary SLP-98 and a LTA mz-2. My favorite is my Dodd audio preamp. Might be hard to find, but well worth it. It is dead quiet!

I also have a Supratek preamp and it is really good!

@bunkertoy The main differences are that the Aesthetix is more traditional tube like in SQ and is slightly noisier than the VTA 5.5. I've also had the VTA 2.5 and rate it the value preamp in the VTA range. I don't think the upgrade to the 5.5 is really worth it as the 2.5 is a damn good preamp 

I have the ARC ls15 that I bought in 1995 and still using it to this day with not one issue I've done one tube replacement  It does have a remote control I'm thinking of you could fine one used, you can't go wrong 

The Rogue Audio RP-1 sells for less than that new.  The RP-5 probably would be in that range used.  I went from the quite good RP-1 to the RP-7, with which I am very pleased.

+1 on Rogue RP-1

great suggestions here ... just for completeness, Klaus Bunge's group Odyssey Audio has the Candela preamp that fits the budget ... 20 year warranty:

https://odysseyaudio.com/candela-vacuum-tube-line-preamplifier/

@soix 

the Don Sachs preamps are Tubes 4 hifi SP14 v23-k1 essentially with his take on cosmetic enhancements and some upgraded parts. I'm running one in my system (not the Don Sachs version) and had all the upgraded parts available swapped in for the standard. If you build this yourself, it starts around $800, or assembled for $1100. These are really nice, but bare bones, no XLR in or out, remote controls volume and dims display, but they now have a newer version of the kit with OLED display for $2100 assembled. Probably can't beat this preamp for the money you are spending.

You can get great sounding 6's for a lot less, people with lots of disposable money push things up ridiculously, simply try some from Brent Jesse

https://www.audiotubes.com/6sn7.htm

He's got a lot of Baldwin Organ Factory stock, $30. each, they could match some for you.

I had 6sl7 and 6sn7, Cayin OEM, (made by ____?), loved them. Blew one, had a used GE sounded like the Cayin, use it temp and get matched ones, right?

Tried some new Sylvania's, matched pair $160., hated em, Brent Jesse had me 1st break them in (simply leave on for 60 hrs, no signal needed), then let me return for full credit, and tried some General Electric (based on my used GE sounding so good), matched pair only $80. They sound great, as good as the Cayin Branded whatever they are.

Check out an Audio Research Sp17SE. They come up for sale every now and then for $2000-$2500ish.

@whitestix Its Tubes4Hifi...

 

They offer that new V23-K1 too, for $1925 assembled, with remote, has 6SN7s and rectifier tube with caps shown, (scroll down)

https://www.tubes4hifi.com/SP14.htm

get schiit preamp new.  So much better opportunity in my view.

vtl nice but the company treats dealers very poorly.  Lousy customer service.

Look for a deal on the Rogue Audio RH 5, headphone amp line stage.  Adjustable line stage gain settings, balanced connections, smaller chassis.  Super clean and powerfully dynamic sound.  Beats the sound of the RP1; RP 5 and RP 7.  Second choice would be the RP 5.