Best Budget Preamp, whats out there?

A used Adcom GFP-750 would also be worth considering. It's a very fine preamp, and at used prices (usually around $750) it's a great value.

There is an Audible Illusions L-1 tube pre available right now on A'gon (no affiliation). I have one with my DNA-125 and it matches great.

Regards,

I agree with Sdcampbell about the Adcom GFP-750 preamp.An outstanding preamp for the $$$.

Forget the GFP-750! It's not Class A, never was, never will be. Sold it at 3 audio/video stores over the years. It's not as good as many think.(maybe Class C...seriously). Infact every other preamp in the store at it's price or above was better...a sheer example that fuels the question from a post earlier that asked "is there any non-compensated reviewing anymore???"
Anyway, McCormmack's very own TLC is better by a lot over this piece, as is Pass Labs Aleph L for the same money used, or better than 750 Adcom.(can you tell I don't like it?..it's not so special IMO)
Other good pieces in Tube used are the stellar Cary linestage that retailed for about $1200 w/no remote. Can't remember model number.."LS50" or something like that.
The Audible Illusions pre's work best with tube amps. Used Audio Research pre's (LS2,5,7,15,etc) are good for $500-700 range with tube upgrades. Even the Audio Experience Symphonies tube line stage that "infintebaffle" recommended is something I'd try before pickig up an Adcom personally. Again, sold that line for years, along with McCormmack as well.
Another suggestion is a simple passive line stage from most any company(except...ehem!)
Dynamics will be better with active linestages however. I think the choices above should get you what you need for a few hundies. Good luck

Exertfluffer,
No offense, but the Adcom GFP-750 is not as bad as you make it out to be!
I have tried and listened to several preamps in my, and in my friends systems, and we consistently prefer it over the others! Its not perfect, no preamp is, but is not bad at all.
I recently bought a John Curl designed Parasound P/LD 2000 preamp, and then a Pass Labs X-2.5 preamp. They were great preamps, but I wound up selling both of them and buying another ADCOM GFP-750! It sounded the best in my system! My friends even agreed that I made the right decision!
Until something comes along that I truly think sounds better and is really worth the extra price difference, I am going to stick with the Adcom.
I know you hate the Adcom, that is obvious. But there are lots of people out there who feel differently about it.
It is the best selling preamp at Audio Advisor and other dealers right now, so it can't be as bad as you make it out to be.I feel that it is competitive with many preamps that cost several times its modest cost.
Just my two cents.