Please read and help me


I have a decision to make and I don't know where to start. I have been through several upgrades in my system and they were not always the right choice. I recently changed preamps and did not like my choice at all.
My system: Rogue magnum M120 mono's, Proac Studio 250 speakers. Vpi HW19jr TT w/ grado Reference sonata Cartridge. And Graham Slee Era gold phono stage. I just recently tried the Blue Circle BC3 pre and I didn't like it at all. I gave it 1 month and just couldn't take it. Some music it was the best I ever heard and others it was not comparable to my previous Rogue magnum 99 it replaced.
Well, I have sold the BC3. Now my wife has asked me a favor. She said if I take the money that I got from the sale of the BC3 and use it to pay are slip fee at the lake, in the fall I could buy any preamp I want. Of course I am jumping on this chance because I will be spending most of my free time on the boat anyways this summer.
Now my problem. I am looking for a cheap pre to get me through to the fall. $500 - $700.
I have looked at several choices. CJ pv series products. I see a AE-1 going cheap, and some ARC sp and sl series products. I want the sound a tad laid back. I listen to a lot of 70's rock, and with the BC3 it was just not a pretty sight. I want a lush sound and not overly bright. Can any of you experts help me make a choice here?
scottht
i would reccomend you get a mcintosh preamp,there are many that are in your price range & the best thing is when you decide on which pre will be next the mcintosh will sell like lightning,mac sounds great & the resale value holds its ground like no other.
Quad 99

A pre with phono and full funtion remote

very neutral and amazing for the money, about $650 used

I have owned the Rogue 99 Magnum before and was not as happy with that (different) system as I am now.

All the best

Phil
If you are looking for a tube preamp I would second the suggestion for the Quicksilver Line stage. Go for the 12AX7 (non-remote) version, as Mike Sanders at Quicksilver will tell you it is the best sounding preamp he has to offer. It uses one 12AX7 per channel, thus for a few extra bucks you can drop some good NOS tubes in and have a great pre. I have seen them used for about $600. Good luck.
That Adcom 750 will NOT be lush and laid back. I have the "real" AlephP version, and "linear and transparent" is its raison d'etre. You need something much warmer for all that 70s dirty top octaves stuff.
Thanks for all of the advise. I did some searching on audioassylu and came up with what I wanted to try. Maybe another mistake, I don't know.
It reads to have the qualities I am looking for and I think it is a very nice looking piece. I went with the AES/AE-1.
I will see if this will hold me over until fall. Any opinions on this piece?