Think long regarding features, options, remote volume somewhere, and I am a big fan of remote balance.
I don’t know anything about current choices,
After many years, tubes/SS (I’m 72), I am most pleased with my vintage McIntosh Tube Tuner/Preamp, mx110z. two phono inputs ended up being very advantageous.
I get my remote volume and remote balance elsewhere in the chain.
a good review here
https://positive-feedback.com/Issue77/vintage_mcintosh_experience.htm
seems the price has been going up, here is a restored one
https://positive-feedback.com/Issue77/vintage_mcintosh_experience.htm
not many for sale now it seems,
https://www.hifishark.com/model/mcintosh-mx-110-z
hifishark: you can see past sales of any equipment, see the two tabs top left
https://www.hifishark.com/model/mcintosh-mx-110-z
I don’t know anything about current choices,
After many years, tubes/SS (I’m 72), I am most pleased with my vintage McIntosh Tube Tuner/Preamp, mx110z. two phono inputs ended up being very advantageous.
I get my remote volume and remote balance elsewhere in the chain.
a good review here
https://positive-feedback.com/Issue77/vintage_mcintosh_experience.htm
seems the price has been going up, here is a restored one
https://positive-feedback.com/Issue77/vintage_mcintosh_experience.htm
not many for sale now it seems,
https://www.hifishark.com/model/mcintosh-mx-110-z
hifishark: you can see past sales of any equipment, see the two tabs top left
https://www.hifishark.com/model/mcintosh-mx-110-z