Best Options For A Tubed Preamp - $2500 Or Less, Preferably Used To Maximize Value

I've owned and like the Black Ice Audio F360 line stage. Punches way above its retail price with some unique and useful features. Uses one 6SN7, so inexpensive to roll NOS tubes.

IMHO, all Black Ice products offer great value. I see a used F360 available now for $1600 (retail $2500). Check the usual used gear sites.

Black Ice Audio F360 Line Stage

I would recommend getting a used Audio Research LS ~ 24… 25, 26… the highest number you can find. Alternatively a Conrad Johnson preamp… as far back as you need to go.

Both of these companies have been at the forefront of high end preamp design for fifty years. They have made some of the best preamps of all times and you get extremely musical preamps that are constructed like tanks made to last a lifetime.

The following is a Copy Paste of a contribution I made to another recent tread.

In a Tube Pre-Amp Bake Off using Ear Power Amp's and ESL Speakers, this Pre' was proving to be more than capable. It was the choice made by the system owner. Not bad when Tube Pre's were available at the Bake Off with a retail of up to £5K and one being a EAR 868. 

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It would be in your interests to investigate the Pass Designed Korg B1 Pre Amp.

I am familiar with this design used with both SS and Tube. It is a Pre' that has well documented upgrade options.

As the basic build it offers a substantial amount and has proven to be a showstopper when built with a compliment of upgrades.