Tube Pre-amp Suggestions.

Quoting the OP:

“it seems the Rogues don’t have balanced inputs, but the Schiits do.”

my Rogue RP-7 has two sets each of balanced outputs AND balanced inputs.  On their website, if you click on the Preamplifiers picture and then on the. RP-7, there is a picture of the back that you can enlarge, showing these connections.  The accompanying text states that it is a balanced preamplifier.  I am using both sets of balanced outputs and one set of the balanced inputs, from my Schiit Gungnir 2 DAC.

After all that, I have decided to stay with my digitally attenuated Bricasti M1 DAC. Thank you all for your kind advice & recommendations!  

@foggyus91 OK sorry, just not a fan.

Then why did you ask the question and then ambush people over their responses?

Bit trolley if you ask me.

@porchlight1 

When you say Sylvania "triangle Plates" I beleive you are referring to the angled T plates in the GTB series? They started in 1954. Not as good as the previous GT series, but still great quality Sylvania tubes.

schiit fot the win.  It goes digital too.  It was my very first. Never forget your first.

I have a Prima Luna Evo 400 that feeds my  Brysto 4b3 SS amp that I feel really made a big difference in SQ over the SS Parasound pre I had been using. It’s my first tube preamp so I can’t see how necessarily compared to anything else, I got my system to the point where I don’t really have any desire to make any changes and Just want to listen to it as it made all sorts of music more enjoyable. The 400 is over what you want and o spend, but you might want to listen to or consider the 300 or even the 200 which are more reasonably priced.

A stand alone DAC that also performs the function of a preamp is very unlikely to come even remotely close to the performance of a stand alone preamp. Companies have been founded on building great preamps and the best today are still built on two box designs and cost a fortune. So, an add on function to a DAC is unlikely to perform anywhere near the level of a purpose built preamp. Some very expensive DACs may have serious preamps in them. 

Class D... for instance ADG sound great through for instance an Audio Research DAC. I had a chance to listen to one in my system. Amp technology should have no impact on your preamp... unless it has so very unusual output. I've been mixing and matching for decades and never had an issues... the better the preamp the better to output sound. 

To all the respondents recommending and/or using 6SN7 based vacuum tube preamplifiers:  try a set of Sylvania triangle plate 6SN7’s made in the late 1940’s and early 50’s. Something special, and in my experience, low microphonics (not always a given in octal base small signal tubes).

My recommendation would be the Luxman CL-38uC if you’re seeking a full featured tube preamplifier with bulletproof built quality and stunning retro looks.  Transformer enabled balanced in’s and outs, a great phono stage with SUT coupled MC inputs, mono switch, variable turnover tone controls that can be bypassed, and a basic remote.  I know it’s out of your budget, but considering what it includes, the Luxman CL-38uC is a great value sez Art Dudley in his Stereophile review.

I guess it depends on your objectives Solid state or Tube based pre. I suppose your BHK offers a little insight into tube pre amps. I use a EamAR Yoshino 912 which is fully balanced All transformer coupled and has an absolute pearl of a phono stage.You could also consider the EAR 868L or PL if you want an excellent configurable MC  capable phono stage.

You guys are awesome, thanks!

I am very happy with my PSAudio BHK pre. ChatGPT ranks it as my best component and wants me to replace my Moon 330A with your Coda #8, as it thinks the #8 is a perfect match for my system. 
It follows the BHK would match very well with your Coda. 

Fezz Audio Sagita Prestige - fully balanced tube preamp for $3495.

@kds if you DAC had Preamp capabilities, then yes you can live without a standalone preamp

Tons of great suggestions, thanks to all! Let me take this one step further. I have a DAC that has pre-amp capabilities. It's to my understanding that having a pre-amp (analogue) will sound better than the digital attenuation. If I'm just looking for a volume control, do I need such an elaborate pre-amp or should I even bother and just stick with the DAC?

Maybe I should start a new thread on this...

https://aricaudio.com/tube-gear/
I’m using the Motherload XL with my Luxman M10X. I compared with the Luxman C900 and ended up selling it as I like the Motherload as it it is a warmer sound.

@aricaudio 

Quite happy with my Luxman CL38uc -it's at the top of your budget but you do see the odd one come up for sale. Tubes if you're that. I like the combo of a tube preamp and ss amp. If I've a complaint it's the lack luster remote for what that's worth. Otherwise no question regarding Luxman quality, both build and sound. Lots of "professional" reviews out there that are all positive. 

E.

I see that not too many tube pres offer balanced inputs, any thoughts?

Among the three noteworthy alternatives, i.e., 1. Freya, 2. RP-7 and 3. VTL TL5.5 Series II Signature (2013), TL5.5 II Sig. has the best impedance matching feature.

https://www.stereophile.com/content/vtl-tl-55-series-ii-signature-line-preamplifier

This trio has received high praise from Stereophile, but impedance matching deserves careful consideration in the DAC → preamp → amp chain. The Freya has a low input impedance, while the RP-7 has a extremely high output impedance at low frequencies.

The benefit to a reasonable tube preamp there are always better NOS tubes that will make it better or tune to your listening preference. 
I use Brent Jessee Recordings and Supplies on line. Super informative and probably knows my equipment better than I do

Another vote for Audio Research.  I have a SP9-MK2 and have been itching to get something newer and still haven’t pulled the trigger. Depending on you finances, the LS-28 is really good and of course there’s the REF series.

Oh and why are you wanting to sell 8 watts of Class A goodness?

@kds https://forum.audiogon.com/posts/2808600

The Rogue RP-7 Preamplifier features two pairs of balanced XLR inputs. It also includes three pairs of RCA line level inputs. 

There are a few Audible Illusions models on the used market.  I have not heard them but consistent praise ... service, on the other hand consistent difficulty:

https://hifizero.com/index.php?q=audible+illusions

https://www.audibleillusions.com/

I switch between a Pass XA-25 and a Dennis Had Inspire "Firebottle" HO (high output) SEP...speakers are modded Klipsch Heresy IIIs (prefer the titanium mids in the IIIs to the poly re-designed mids in the IVs).

@kds I like a bit of clarity in my sound and the Freya+ was a bit too thick for my tastes. I did get it sounding to my sonic preference with the uber neutral Benchmark AHB2. However, other preamps sounded better to me with the AHB2, so the Freya+ was sold.

The Raven Revelation is the Don Sach (and 1 other designers) attempt at the state of the art in a tube preamp. Spatial Audio has rights to build this preamp. It has become rather popular on A’gon. Cost is a bit under $7k.

https://www.spatialaudiolab.com/raven-preamplifier

@ericrhodes1 it seems the Rogues don’t have balanced inputs, but the Schiits do.

I will check out Nord Acoustics, thanks!

@yyzsantabarbara Thanks, so not too big on the Freya as others here?             Have you heard Ravens, they don’t seem to offer a pre-amp only?

So, back to Class D, besides the overpriced GANFET models that are being praised by reviewers with a fair fight comparison with silicon based Purifi Eigentakt models (which are half the price, twice the power, and measure better), don't just settle on Buckeye, Nord Acoustics has a great Eigentakt monoblock with more options and a better build aesthetic.

As for preamps, I do like my Schiit Freya+, so +5 on that one. But I also enjoy my Rogue RP7 which you can attain used in your price range. 

I have a CODA #16 and use the Benchmark HPA4 preamp with it. I also had a CODA #8 at one time, this is similar to the Schitt Wotan amp.

I have tried the following preamps with the #16, #8, and the Wotan.In order of preference:

- Benchmark LA4 and HPA4

- Holo Audio Serene (a warmer LA4 and HPA4)

- Schitt Mjolnir v3 (no remote)

- Schitt Kara F

- CODA 07x

- Schitt Freya+

I will need another preamp when I move to my next house. My HPA4 pre currently runs 2 systems. My 2nd future preamp will be for the CODA #16 amp and it will either be a Benchmark LA4 pre or the Raven Revelation tube preamp. 

Great stuff guys, thanks a lot!

I'm a really big fan of 6sn7 tubes in a preamp. I think they have the truest most linear sound across the spectrum. As such, I went with a ModWright ls100 and am extremely happy with it. You can get one used for your price. I've never heard the schitt but have other products from them so would bet it's solid. Could also try and track down a don Sachs model 2. Or go online to the tubes4hifi site and Roy who designed the Don Sachs model 2 will make you one to his spec. An absolutely amazing preamplifier. I had one for a while and am sorta sad I sold it

Rogue and BAT.  

 I see that not too many tube pres offer balanced inputs, any thoughts?

Schiit Freya+ is a balanced preamp!

From the Schiit site: ''Freya+ F is a true high-end, balanced, remote-control preamp. Switch between passive, differential buffer, and differential tube gain modes, and enjoy the fine control of a 128-step relay-switched stepped attenuator volume control with perfect channel matching.''

Mike

Not sure of your price range, but I have had a Rogue Audio RP-7 preamp for about three years that I think is wonderful.  Multiple balanced and RCA outputs, remote,  theater mode, and wonderful sound quality with my other equipment—Fyne F-702 speakers and Odyssey Audio monobloc power amps, along with a pair of Rythmik subwoofers.  It is well made here in the USA, in Pennsylvania.

Too many to thank and great lists @chuck ​​​​@hilde45 

I see that not too many tube pres offer balanced inputs, any thoughts?

Lots of praise for the Schitt Freya, I was surprised...

+3 Schiit Freya+ F$999

Mike

+1 for Backert Labs!

Just perusing the used audio sites and saw a few in your price range to consider

Backert labs  Rhumba 1.3

Audio Research Reference 3

BAT VK 51 SE

Modwright 36.5

These are a few on a well known used audio site.

In a reasonable price zone, I’d be curious about preamps from

Quicksilver

Erhard Audio,

Aric Audio,

DeHavilland (if you can find them), 

Supratek

Cary (maybe too pricy)

Rogue (maybe too pricy)

Manley jumbo shrimp. Great tube preamp with excellent support. Used market around 2k. 

@kds Using ARC Ref5SE and before that had an Aric Audio Motherlode for a brief run.

I have also thought about going back to Class D amps and just considering PS Audio 1200's. For fun. I'd probably get new speakers before giving up the Coda. The ARC is here to stay but Backert is always an option to consider as a musical preamp.

@wolf_garcia what power amp and speakers are you running Wolf?

Schiit Freya + preamps are rated "Class A" by Stereophile and seem to suffer from being too inexpensive...amazingly. I've been enjoying the original version for years, use NOS GE 6SN7GTB tubes, and have yet to see any other preamp with the flexibility or useful features of the Freya. Plus it sounds amazingly good with either my SE tube amp or my Pass XA-25.

@kds I am very happy with my Coda ss amp & Herron Audio tube preamp combo.

There is currently only one listing for a used Herron Audio preamp. It is the VTPS - 360 model, and it is listed on that "other site" (USAM) for $3500, which is a little over your budget. The two prior models (VTSP - 3 & VTSP - 2) will usually sell within your budget

Used Herron's don't appear very often; and, they typically sell fast (for good reasons), so both patience and quick actions are usually required to snag one of them. The VTSP 360 has been listed for 44 days; so, that suggests the seller has probably over-priced it a bit. Perhaps he'll take $3K, assuming this model fits your needs and criteria.

I suggest you research some professional reviews of it, along with some of the Audiogon forum discussions re Herron Audio.   

Backert, hands down!

For right around $3k you can find a Primaluna evo400, pretty amazing preamp I’m using one to drive two amps feeding my electrostats….nice combo. 

I know you said “tube” but the matching Coda Continuum CB preamp is excellent and retains the smooth tube-like presentation of their amplifiers. I’m a Coda dealer and have one ready to ship if you are interested.

Is a remote needed?  Also, are you using balanced interconnects?

Another vote for a BAT valve option, used if necessary. In my experience they walk all over price-equivalent Audio Research options. Much better soundstage and dynamics.