Considering a New Tube Pre-amp


I have used a Quad QC-24 pre-amp for thirteen years. Designed by Tim deParavicini, it isn't bad. But recently, and just for fun, I got out a pre-amp I bought some thirty years ago, cleaned it up and tried it out - a Copland CTA-301 MkII. It seems clearer with much tighter control of bass, and it looks like it's staying in place, at least for now.

But you know how these things go, it has raised doubts. Made me think that there is obviously room for pre-amp improvement. I wish to stay with a tube pre-amp, and I don't need a phono section as I have a separate phono stage, so I've been thinking about the following:

1. Cary SLP-98L. I've had good experiences in the past with Cary's now-defunct kit division, Audio Electronic Supply. I had their PH-1, AE-3 (both Dennis Had editions), SE-811 monoblocks and SixPacs. Downside, they have almost no dealers anymore and don't offer a warranty for international sales other than a dealer warranty (and they have undercut all their dealers who have dropped the brand).

2. Atma-Sphere MP-3. No personal experience here, but everyone says wonderful things. My power amps don't have balanced inputs, and only my CD/SACD player has a balanced output, so I'd have to order one with RCAs, losing one of the main advantages.

3. A wild card - the Manley NeoClassic 300B pre-amp. The most expensive and hard to find many reviews. But one still dreams of 300B sound....

One problem is that these are all US-made, and I may have to wait until the tariffs are withdrawn. I'll have to save up anyway as I'm now retired and the days of wasteful spending in hi-fi are in the past.
What do you think if you have experience of any of these pre-amps?

dogberry

If you ever decide to sell the Copland please PM me, and good luck with the hunt.

@billpete Just saw your post. I've been playing with my Mono rig and not on Audiogon that much. I gave my Cary SLP-98 to my nephew and it still has the stock tubes in it. Still my favorite. 

@russ69 

Thanks for that. Even with stock tubes, had very good sound. Better with some oldies. I don't think I'll ever tire of tube rolling. That makes the Cary's that much more appealing with the tubes out where we can get at them. Thoughtful.