Starter budget tube preamp with remote?

Dodd Buffer!

http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=79766.80

Audio Mirror t-61 can be had for half your budget and is a pretty surprising little pre. Looks great too.

Thanks for all the replies. My budget is around $1k and I preferred used gears since I can get most out of the $ spent. Any product line from Rogue or BAT that currently listed on Agon around this ball park that would give a significant boost over my current USP-1 preamp?

Gopher wrote up a very positive evaluation of the Avant over on Audio Circle. Compared favorably to his Shindo, which is really saying something in my book.

You should search for a Eastern Electric Avant pre. The thing is not ultra expensive and sounds wonderful. Contact Bill O'Connor at Morning Audio. It uses a total of 8 tubes, 5 12au7,2 12ax7 and 1 EZ90 6x4 rectifier.

Hi Johncdnt

I found this older thread about the Rogue Metis vs. the Emotiva USP-1 as well as a rather nice thorough review about the USP-1.

Metis vs. USP-1

Ferrari's USP-1 review

Maybe just keep the USP-1 and get a Tube based DAC? The ERC-1 would make one heck of a transport. Also how about swapping out the XPA-2 for a re-built Dynaco ST-70 amp?

I remember in the Emotiva's lounge some time ago there was a member who had a USP-1 paired up with a Bob Latino Dynaco 120 amp and really liked the music from the pairing.

Good luck with the search. I gave up on tube preamps. I wanted one with a good phono section and a remote for about $500 and had no luck.

Quicksilver remote Control linestage is a nice value used.
It uses 6DJ8 so you can tube roll if you would like.

Gary Dodd "tube buffer"! One of the Top 3 pre solutions in the world!

Whats your budget for buying a tube preamp?

Cayin, cayin and nothing but a cayin 70 or 88.