What'sBest Deal Tube PreAmp New or Used?

Perhaps, but it will not be as analytical and cold as s/s preamps.The one that I had in my system and in its price range basically did the best of both worlds.I replaced it with an SFL-1 Signature that had more detail and did everything else just a tad better.Then I replaced that with the latest version of the Audible illusions M3A.BTW,what most do not know is that each year the M3A goes through multiple refinement upgrades.On the other side of the coin their service is nothing to right home about.Happy listening.

I know I'm a little late to the party, but I'll give another recommendation (fourth one?) for the SFL-1. As the others have said, it's well worth it to stretch your budget a little in order to have more options. The SFL-1 holds its worth very well, so if you don't like it you can get your money back. Plus there's only one tube to change for easy tube rolling. I've seen a couple here for $700 and one for $650. Good Luck.

I guess we're in unison, the Sonic Frontiers SFL-1 gets the call. I've never seen such agreement on this board. I got mine for $495 more than one year ago. I'm very happy with it; I just wish it were remote-compatible.

Go with the CJ PV10. I've had one for about 5 years - was Stereophile class B. It is warm and definitely "tubey" which I prefer, I've got it mated with a Classe CA 200 with MIT Shotgun IC's and am very happy. Got my eyes set on possibly the CJ 16LS but in the meantime this combo is very musical with a nice bottom end, excellent midrange and smooth extended highs. Right in your price range used.

Try a Rogue 66