Mordante, some tube preamps don't provide the dynamics and full sound for rock music. Since I like a variety of music including rock I have found the VTL 2.5 tube preamp to be an outstanding performer in all areas, delivering excellent bass, extended highs but with a wonderful midrange. Also I never had an impedance matching issue with the VTL 2.5 with various solid state amps. On occasions you can find one used on Audiogon for around $800.00 to $900.00. By the way, how much is 1500 euro in US dollars?
If you really want to save money on a tube preamp, the high resolution Audio Experience Symphonies V2R is ridiculasly good at its new asking price of $448.00 out of Hong Kong (YS Audio). It is a pure tube design (tube rectified) with two pairs of outputs, four pairs of inputs, remote control operates volume & input selection. Quality parts are used throughout: Alps, Wima, Dale, and the sound beats the pants off many name brand preamps. I personally, in addition to some others, use one & I love it.
If you really want to save money on a tube preamp, the high resolution Audio Experience Symphonies V2R is ridiculasly good at its new asking price of $448.00 out of Hong Kong (YS Audio). It is a pure tube design (tube rectified) with two pairs of outputs, four pairs of inputs, remote control operates volume & input selection. Quality parts are used throughout: Alps, Wima, Dale, and the sound beats the pants off many name brand preamps. I personally, in addition to some others, use one & I love it.