Who makes the least expensive Tube Pre-Amp?

You will certainly hear ehem... difference especially after a while you'll start to develop sibliance and many unwanted colors.
Designing good tube pre is a complicated and expencive issue that figures at least $1000 for used unit.
You can search among vintage Audio Research or Macintosh tube preamp units otherwise not sure if any other small brands might produce something descent.

AES & Antique Sound labs.

watch for a used conrad johnson PV 5,6,or7 (300-500)they will perform with the ability to determine what your seeking. if you decided to not keep around, will be able to liquidate without any dificulty.

AMC makes cheap and decent tube pre.
OTherwise, please look into Bel Canto.
Good luck

Marakanetz,

Does this mean that the CJ PV-10AL that retailed for $1k is not a good design?

What about Rogue 66, readily available for less than $1k?

What about one of several AR preamp models, again readily available for less than a kilobuck?

What about a CAT with some scratches on its face available for less than $1k?

I hope that my sarcasm has not fallen on a deaf(golden) ear.

I will stipiulate that within a particular manufacturer's products, if they offer more than one preamp, and one costs $400, and the other costs $4000, the $4000 pre stands a good chance of sounding better.

But if you're saying that you can't get a good sounding preamp at less than $1k USED, you're just wrong.

Cheers, and good luck.