Tubed Preamp recommendations?

Balanced Audio Technology (BAT) rarely gets any love in Audiogon discussions, but I’ve had their tube preamps for a long time. I couldn’t be happier with my early generation VK-5i preamp (Coupled with a VK-600 with bat pack amp). Their designer has always been a former rocket scientist ,Victor Khomenko, who has very sound designs that always have lots of headroom with great sound. You can’t go wrong with any of their components.

Used Cary Audio, Rogue Audio or PrimaLuna would fit the bill

Don Sachs Model 2, which is basically a tubes4hifi SP14 with better parts.  You'd have to shop used and probably stretch your budget a little more.

You had better check the input impedance of your Meridian amp (I don't see it published anywhere) to make sure it at least 10x the output impedance of the preamp you are considering. Unless by "warm and silky" you like rolled off highs.

+ 1 for Modwright LS-100.  Great 6SN7 based preamp.  

Used Concert Fidelity CF-080LSX2 is the best tubed preamp I am aware of

AUDIO HUNGARY APR 204 (2K) - I own it and love it. It even has a tubed (6922’s) phono pre and an ok headphone jack. Hand made in Hungary and comes with 6 NOS Tungsram (4 x ECC83/12AX7; 2 x E88CC/6922) tubes.

Audio Hungary’s cheapest component and a 2K bargain. Amazing pre!

+1 for Linear Tube Audio MicroZOTL if you buy new. I use mine as a headphone amp. It is excellent. And if you buy used +1 Audible Illusions L3A.
I use my AI in my main system and TAS for years refers to it as “best at any price!”.

+1 for Don Sachs' preamps.

You might find a used Model 1 that would fit  within your budget?

You can sync it to the rest of your system through judicious use of tube rolling... 

You can't beat the hand made preamps like Aric audio or space tech labs for sound quality in your price range, you would have to spend a lot more on mainstream preamps to beat them.

I had a Freya not the plus.  I thought it was noisy even with XLR cables.  To me the sound was a bit grainy.  But for the price it gets you into tubes and it gave me no trouble.  I liked the remote, it worked will and when I lost mine it was cheap to replace. As stated it is close to entry level. I have a Decware CSP3, not the anniversary edition, it has some cap upgrades.  It is single ended only but wow in another league in terms of smooth and silky, great harmonics.  It was however also noisy.  I sold the Freya and replaced it with an Allnic L-3000 which is above your price point but also in another nother league and dead quiet.  I can't bring myself to sell the Decware it was so good.  The Decware responded much better to tube rolling than the Freya.  

   I have a Rogue RP-1 with NOS Telefunken G73–R’s and a Morrow MP4 power cord and and Morrow MA-5 IC’s . I also use isolation pucks and a brass weight on the case . While it’s a good match for my Had Inspire , I wouldn’t buy it again. The headphone output is lousy and the phono is mediocre at best with my modded Thorens . The gain is lower than I’d like , and the noise is a little high. Although it does play well with my Schiit Yiggy . And at about 1 year the LED front panel started having dim spots . When you consider the cost of the items to upgrade it , you’d be better off looking somewhere else . My friend has an older CJ that he spent a fair amount having restored and absolutely loves it . I’d consider upping your budget and being totally pleased , Regards , Mike . 

Find an older Rogue 99 with phono stage. I bought mine used several years back and have had no issues. Running  Sylvania 6SN7WGT tubes for the pre-amp, with the phono board having Amperex/Holland 7316s and Psvane 12AX7s. Have read the phono board is best with MM cartridges and high output MC cartridges with low output cartridges being only so-so. You can also upgrade the pre amp through Rogue.

Add Erhard Audio Aretha preamp to your list. Easy on the ears, made in USA and has tone control. Very nice craftsmanship too. Very happy with mine. 

The Primaluna arrived today...verrry interesting stuff here fellas. For starters it’s really well made gear, built well above it’s price point. What amazed me was how different it sounds from the Schiit Saga/Psvane preamp I’ve been using...this piece of Schiit is NO JOKE! the Saga’s soundstage is waaayyy deeper and more detailed than the Primaluna. The PL’s soundstage is pushed much more forward. What I didn’t like about the Saga was that it was very revealing of recordings where as the PL has that lush tube sound I just love. I can’t wait to sit down for a few hours and get the full gist of the PL. Still scratching my head over how clean the Saga is. Amazing Schiit! haha....Click link for eye candy!

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@jl1ny 

suggest u let it run in couple days several listening sessions before making any major SQ assessments

next is to swap out the OEM small signal tubes for better ones

@jjss49 Will do! I was just sniffing around on upscale audio’s site, I’m eyeing the Brimar 12au7’s.

good luck jl1ny

middle two tube positions most critical

try better power cable too

@jjss49 Power cord upgrade is done (pic below) Any suggestions for the 12AX7’s?

https://freeimage.host/i/2HXPV9

No one mentioned the wonderful Sonic Frontiers SFL-1 hybrid. Really a liquid smooth piece that’s all about the power amp quality. Run mine with a pair of TAD 125 “Hibachi” Monoblocks and soon a Cary CAD 808R tuber. I have also upgraded the power line to a Nordost Blue Heaven. I’d put it up against anything mentioned. Mine is mint and prob valued at $11-$1200. Would have been right in your wheelhouse. I see them out in the marketplace every now & then. Strongly recommend this preamp

I'm not surprised he likes his Saga so much...I think Schiit gets grief for simply being less expensive (except for pricey DACs) which clouds the brains of those owning pricier gear, or thinking there's a connection between cost and performance. I have a couple of Magni 3s, a Loki, and an original version Freya...all are outstanding sounding things and the cost of each relative to performance is outstanding and unmatched by most.

@wolf_garcia I’ve read that the Saga performs way above its price but had nothing to A-B with prior to getting the Primaluna. I’ve left my system on overnight and been listening to the PL all morning, its nizzzzzze. The tubes are stock and new, so i’ll see how it goes but ultimately if i can roll the tubes to give me a tiny bit more lush in the highs i’ll be really happy camper. 

@bgross I was looking hard at SFL-2 but it was slightly over budget. 

I've never heard a Saga, but then I don't get out much. It sounds like a long story (Get it? Saga?...I'm here all week...how 'bout that airline food...where ya from?).

I’ve used a Beard P505 for 35 years. 
It got a complete rebuild about 5 years ago. All new Audio grade caps, etc

OP,
is that an EVO 100?