2. amps-preamps
  3. 157039-111906

Good Tube Pre Amp under 2K

Newbie getting into the game. Looking for the best tube pre amp new or used under 2K to go with the following setup.  Will be purchasing a phone in down the line

Focal 826 Chorus speakers
Parasound NewClassic 2125v2 Two Channel Power Amplifier
Music Paradise-D2 MK3 DELUXE tube Dac
OPPO 95  


128x128wdanie29
13 responses Add your response
avanti1960
1,461 posts
 
look for a used rogue audio RP-5.  superb in all areas.  
wdanie29's avatar
wdanie29 OP
2 posts
 
Thanks all I ended up buying a Musica Bella LeAnna Twin Chassis Class A Preamp.  Now I am looking to buy a SS amp to go with it.  Any suggestions?  I returned the Parasound 2125 due to the low impedance
wolf_garcia
6,686 posts
 
Schiit Freya +, inexpensive, balanced, lots of ins and outs, great sounding tube preamp with 3 remote switchable operating modes: Passive, FET buffered, and tube. Hard to beat for 900 bucks.
luxmancl38
580 posts
 
Audiogon has an Audio Research sp-16 w/phono for $1700.
hilde45's avatar
hilde45
4,974 posts
 
I like my $1300 quicksilver linestage. Just got some new NOS tubes to try. 
arcticdeth's avatar
arcticdeth
1,572 posts
 
Have patience, and wait for a nice conrad Johnson, et-3 or et- 5 for a great price!
worth the wait.

or on a limb, try an Onkyo P-308, silent, and features.
can be had for much less, and has a nice warm sound to her.

 You won’t be disappointed,
Ag insider logo xs@2x
tonykay
1,301 posts
 
Audible Illusions. Buy used, easily under $2K. Several to choose from.
wdanie29's avatar
wdanie29 OP
2 posts
 
Just bought the parasound amp and have not opened the box so it can be returned. Was looking at the NuForce STA200. You mentioned a low impedance on the parasound amp.  What should the optimal impedance be for an amp?
three_easy_payments's avatar
three_easy_payments
2,097 posts
 
This Don Sachs listing looks compelling.

https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/649619391-don-sachs-model-2-preamp/
schubert
7,386 posts
 
Croft  is outstanding .
three_easy_payments's avatar
three_easy_payments
2,097 posts
 
May want to consider the Schiit Freya+ for $800.  Although your amp should pair decently with most preamps keep in mind the input impedance is a somewhat low 33 K ohms.
soix
9,420 posts
 
There’s a Unison Research Unico Pre available here now for $2k that retailed north of $5k new.  Unison makes good stuff.  Best of luck. 
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