I have recently purchased a 125 as well and am currently searching for a pre too. As you are probably aware, the McCormack is quite sensitive so it requires a pre with minimal gain.
Passive pre's, like FT Audio LW-1 (I just bought one, you need 2v output on your front end), McCormack make some nice ones themselves, the IRD Purist passive, and Placette, Bent, are some others.
For tubes, I am about to receive a Dodd Audio pre to demo. It is minimalistic, two sets of inputs and one output, has 15 db of gain, and costs $450. Not sure if it will work due to the gain though.
From my reading, many people use an Audible Illusions pre to match with the 125. The AI L1 model I know allows you to set gain for left/right channel.
Finally, I think the Decware ZSLA looks interesting, it is a tube buffer basically. Very minimalistic though, one input/one output though you can buy a switch box to add inputs.
Hope these ideas help,
Passive pre's, like FT Audio LW-1 (I just bought one, you need 2v output on your front end), McCormack make some nice ones themselves, the IRD Purist passive, and Placette, Bent, are some others.
For tubes, I am about to receive a Dodd Audio pre to demo. It is minimalistic, two sets of inputs and one output, has 15 db of gain, and costs $450. Not sure if it will work due to the gain though.
From my reading, many people use an Audible Illusions pre to match with the 125. The AI L1 model I know allows you to set gain for left/right channel.
Finally, I think the Decware ZSLA looks interesting, it is a tube buffer basically. Very minimalistic though, one input/one output though you can buy a switch box to add inputs.
Hope these ideas help,