Need recommendation for a preamp.

I agree with foreverhifi2000..

I will be honest and state that I have not heard any of the preamps that you mentioned. (Although I had heard older Adcoms, and was never impressed). However, I have had an ARC LS-2 preamp for many years, purchased used also, and it is one of the best, most neutral sounding preamps I have heard. You can probably pick one up for way less than a grand. The only downside, is that you will not get a remote. (The remote version is VERY rate, and VERY expensive!) I purchased this as a stopgap measure figuring I would trade up at some point. Never have yet.

Good Luck in your search.

Roy, I don't know what your source is, but if it has at least 2v output a passive would work fine for you. Your amp is a great match-up for a passive. The Bent audio tvc or the Placette models are the best (used) in your price range and will compete with active pre's costing $1,000's more. I have the Bent Audio passive in my system and went with it over the Placette because I wanted balanced connections on my Krell amp, the Placette is much more money for balanced. They are both very good passive's. You can read reviews for both at the audio asylum forum. Passive's are only great if they match-up well with: source/amp/speakers in your system, mine does in my system. (Sony XA777es-Bent Audio passive-Harmonic Tech. truth-link cables-Krell ksa-250 amp-Vmps super tower/r speaker@91db.) hope this helps.

Audio Synthesis Passion (Non-remote) is another good "passive" pre-amp. I had the ARC LS2 & LS3 before and the AS passion is the next level up imo, neutral, transparent & dynamic.......... try this link for the Soundstage review http://www.sstage.com/tm_01.htm

If you are only listening to one source, such as CD's, then by attaching Electronic Visionary Systems (EVS) Ultimate Attenuators onto the amplifier input jacks you eliminate need for one interconnect from the now non-existent pre-amp to the amp, and you may find you have retained all the best of your amplifier performance. Total cost $350, new, or about $200, used. This an instance where price gives no hint of the outstanding sound you will hear. See tweakaudio.com. I got mine used, and have been impressed by its performance enough to champion this cult product hand-crafted by an audio individualist.

I respectedly disagree with Kurt and forever HIfi
I audition the Ls7 AR, and end up buying the LS8
AR,then I audition the adcom, In my system and in
my opinion the gfp is better,Again in my sytem
the adcom is better.I sold the LS8.Its true why
trust reviewer,the best way is audition it.
I did not buy the adcom because its class A, but
its very musical to my system.That the way to
choose equipment, like Robert Harley says,DO
YOUR HOMEWORK. I THINK I DID.