Used preamp under $400...

As ‘yogi’ noted, I purchased an open box Parasound ZPre3 For my 2 channel listening and am very happy with it. It was bought fully warranted at your price point (actually $350 from Safe and Sound). It’s impressive for the cost.

The ZPre is basically the Parasound Classic200 without the DAC or phono stage built-in.

rufust OP
Thanks George, that is some great info. I will check that out right now. Would you have a recommendation of a non colored pre that would fit the bill?

Yeah after trying the passives on the back of the amp first and liking it, I’d go for this as it has a very good 128 step relay remote controlled volume, and it has an active stage "should you want/need to use it".
There is the Saga tube/passive for $399 but I don’t think it has as finer volume steps, and as for the active stage, I’d rather the solid state/passive option of the Freya.
https://www.schiit.com/products/freya-s

These are also good for a little less but no remote, and no active option, and the volume control is not quite as good as the Schiit Freya’s
https://www.goldpt.com/sa1.html

Cheers George

hi the schiit saga+ is passive 

for $400 you ain;'t gonna get much.

I see others have beat me to the punch, but I'll say it anyway.  Schiit Audio Saga +.  You can also get a b stock version for a little less.  I've had the old gen Saga, which was my first passive.  It was so good I thought I'd try out the Freya +.  I'm not disappointed!  

The old Saga was better than my Parasound Halo P5.  They refined their pre's significantly so I expect that the new Saga + would be even more of a giant killer.

I may be selling my tube pre,, ~~$700 OBO in about 2-3 weeks. It can be seen/heard in my YT uploads, has  all new Mundorf Silver caps. 
Its a  real gem, clean solid 12AT7  tube sound, paid $700+ mods of $500. My loss your gain,,,that is if the shootout with the Jadis DPL which arrives tomorrow, loses out vs the DPL. If the Jadis loses, then it has to go, and keeping the 12AT7 pre. 
Just giving you heads up. 
ebay has a  12ax7  similar to mine for like,,,$500

As George stated, passives are uncolored, for the most part. When using the rear level controls on the 750, start out with them at minimum, and raise them gradually.

Thanks George, that is some great info. I will check that out right now. Would you have a recommendation of a non colored pre that would fit the bill?

Thanks again!

rufust
to pair with a newly inherited Parasound HCA 750A Will be driving Spica TC 60

On the back of the HCA750 you have level controls for each chanel, just try them first with your source plug directly into the 750 ()no preamp), as this will be the cleanest most uncolored sound you'll get. And if you like what you hear just get a passive preamp with remote.

Cheers George

Definitely check out Schiit for a low cost Tube buffered preamp option.

Thanks, I'm not opposed to buying new per se, just a believer that one can get a bigger bang for the buck buying used...usually. Of course there is always the possibility that one is buying somebody else's problem. 

I like the look of that saga2 and I'm a fan of having a tube in a preamp, which is the setup I have in my main system.

This new Parasound is only 50 bucks over your budget. Why buy used?
https://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=PAZPRE3
Or this Schiit Saga!
https://www.schiit.com/products/saga-2

patience.patience.

keep looking.

Ayre, B&K, 

or the Onkyo P-304 is also good!

 A used rotel, paasound.

There is a bunch of amazing pres for around 4$
Enjoy the hunt, be vigilant, 
 Research, and if u see one, snatch it up fast!

 

Thanks, perhaps I am not looking at the right unit but those seem to be going for $650-ish on said flea of bay.

Onkyo P-308 pre!
one of the best pres made.  Check flea bay, or anywhere else.  
Amazing preamp.