OPINION ON STARTER 2 CHANNEL USED PREAMP

used Emotiva

why do you want a preamp?

if you need a linestage only, look for a passive design with remote ... in that price range a passive will most likely outperform an active linestage

Passive, I'd go with a Creek.
On Audiogon, the best I see is a B&K Pro 5. These actually sound very crisp and clean. The remote bites though.
There is a Carver that is ok or a quad.
Personally, I'd stay away from old adcom or NAD. New ones are great, older ones are too muddy.

What amp and speakers do you have-this will make a difference.

As I said on your amp thread, forget the pawn shop separates and get an Onkyo A-9555 integrated amp. It's the same price, it's new, it has a 3-year warranty, and it sounds better than pretty much any used stack you can put together for $500 unless you get extraordinarily lucky at an estate sale.

It's quieter, faster, more transparent, more reliable, looks great, and even has a very nice MM phono stage.

And a very easy-to-use (even in the dark) remote control.

P.S.: Could you please turn your caps lock off? It doesn't make us more attentive; it just sends old farts like me into sensory overload.

I am vintage '51 and couldn't agree more on the irritating caps lock. Thanks, Johnny!