Who makes the least expensive Tube Pre-Amp?

my vote for an entry-level preamp goes to
Quicksilver.

If you can do without a remote, it can be had
for under 500$ ( I think the list is 1100$? ) and sounds
better than the remote version.

It doesn't have the warmish romantic *tube sound*,
but, its neutral midband ( I prefer it that way ) has a
plenty of resolution, clarity and immediacy which lacks in many entry-level
preamps.

A good bass control and excellent pacing are added bonus
for most tube preamps in this price range as well.

Only caviat is that it has a good amout of gain so that
make sure it'll work with your amp before commit.

I have owned 2 budget tube pre's. Both inexpensive both awesome sound and value.

First I owned an Audio Electronic Supply AE-3 not only was it inexpensive....for very little $$ you can perform many DIY upgrades and Mods that improve performance exponentially. Even better it only runs on 2 6sn7's so tube rolling is very cheap and easy!
Now I have a Rogue 66 Magnum. A GREAT budget tube pre. She is more transparent with Blacker backgrounds than the AE-3...but I have to admit, I really miss the AE-3. The phono stage on the Magnum is not my taste...I liked the Creek 0BH-8se much better that was replaced. I was disappointed ...I was expecting an improvement in my phono stage.

So yes ..my vote goes wholeheartedly to the AE-3!

I have a Quicksilver phono stage that sounds great. If you have a TT try a phono tube stage and see how how you like it. Just a suggestion IMHO.

Love the Black flat discs best

audio experience, here on Audiogon

Try to check the Space-Tech Lab pre-amps, they are real good sound with more than reasonable price. Just go www.space-tech-lab.com and see. I own several pieces of their equipment, QA-114,VP-105,DA-512X,3WXO-passive, never fails me, really better performance than those selling several times more expensive from market. The look might not be as great as those quantity productions, but is still reasonably looking good, you can't ask for too much from a all hand-made piece, I saw and listen their pre beat down those Jadis, Conrad-Johnson, Audio Research and Sonic Frontier in their shop, very impress.