best bang for the buck tube preamp?

I would agree with Valve_and_vinyl. Nice assessment.
Happy Listening!

I will second (ot third?) the Bottlehead Foreplay.

Note, the new Foreplay III is not the easiest build out there. It sounds superb but it is a bit a more involved build than the ver II they had before. Never-the-less, for double the money of the foreplay, I doubt anything comes close.

Regards
Paul

I have the Bottlehead Foreplay II, not the newest edition, and it is a great little pre for the money. However, for a few hundred bucks more, I would strongly urge you to consider the Mapletree Audio Ultra 4A or the Triplex. What you will get will be better overall resolution and tonality and I think you will be happier in the long run. At the time I was looking for an upgrade for my Foreplay (upgrade fever), I took a risk with Mapletree and have not a single regret or ever felt to need to look elsewhere ever since. Since then, I have convinced a couple of other devout audiophiles to give it a try. Each and everyone has found the same results I did, a warm, but resolving, engaging and musical preamp. Mapletree Audio is an often overlooked company that really deserves more attention. Check out their website at mapletreeaudio.com and take a look at what they have to offer. The designer and operator of the company, Lloyd Peppard, is a great guy who stands behind his products 110% and can answer any questions you have. You should also check out the Mapletree Audio user forum on Audiocircle.com. In my opinion, the MAD products are the best bang for the buck in audio today.

consider the zbox from decware.

Hi Hartwerger

I had a look at the website – the Mapletree stuff look great.

Do the kits look like what is on the web page? I need a ‘project’ and wanted to build another pre. I like Bottlehead gear, but I am not fond of their aesthetics. Also the cable going in on the top is just a PITA.

Thanks
Paul