Best Remote $1,250 used preamp?

As Muralman1 stated, "tubes are important" and can make or break a preamp (or amp). Maybe that is where we differed on our judgment of the SF Line series preamps. I would also agree that the Line 2 sounds dry in the mids when using stock Sovtek 6922's. Sovteks seem to have that characteristic with most 6922 based preamps. It is also my understanding that reviewers make their observations based upon stock tubes which can be very unfortunate. Many preamps can sound very different with NOS tubes. I've tried Sovteks (current production and NOS), Amperex, Mullard and Siemans. My observations on the SF Line 2 are based on using Siemans 7308's in all 6 positions. I, for one, will never go back to solid state.

Of the preamps in the ~$1000 range the BAT VK-20 is the best I've owned.

I have owned the following preamps and liked them in the following order regardless of price: BAT VK30se, BAT VK20, CJ PF-R, McCormack TLC-1, ARC LS16, CJ PV-14L, Classe CP-35, Creek OBH-12, Adcom GFP-750.

Of the solid-state preamps I would give the (slight) edge to the CJ PF-R sonically but it's volume control can be quite sensitive and difficult to precisely adjust especially with the remote and especially if your system gain is fairly high. The useable volume control range in my system was between 7 O'clock and 9 O'clock - not much adjustment range.
The BAT VK20 is right up there with the CJ PF-R and it has the best user interface on the planet plus it offers balanced XLR and single-ended RCA in/outs. It has a hefty aluminum remote and a wonderfully designed user interface including programmable characters for each source.

Of the tube preamps that I've owned, only the BAT VK30se delivers solid and tight bass along with that nice 3 dimensional tube sound. The other tube preamps in my list were not quite there in the bass department and the CJ PV-14L was especially lacking although it had a very sweet midrange.

The Adcom was my least favorite. Mine was totally reliable but I've heard horror stories from others. I simply didn't like the sound in my system. In passive mode this preamp required AC power - and not just to illuminate the front panel lights or allow for remote volume control. It simply does not work w/o AC power. Why would a "passive" preamp require power? (The McCormack TLC-1 passive does not requir e power). In passive mode the Adcom sounded dull and lifeless and lacking dynamics. In active mode it was bright and aggressive to my ears. I'd take the Creek OBH-12 over the Adcom.

Yes, I agree with Yowser. Different tubes will alter the sound accordingly. My SF sounded positively awful with it's Sovteks. Using different tubes, the sound neared perfection. I never went on to Telefunken or Siemens because of the expense. After I had sold the Sonic Frontiers, I was told just changing the last two tubes would do the trick. I wonder if anyone has tried that?

I meant the pV-14, the newer tube remote preamp from Conrad Johnson in the above quesion (How's it sound? Compaired to the PFR, can you change the tubes?...). Sorry for the mis-type.

Hey AbeCollins, Great feedback. Thanks for the info. Think the BAT or CJ is the more reliable? I've never had BAT grear, but good experiences with CJ.

The CJ PV-14L is nice looking and has a good user interface but I found the lower bass to be weak compared to other tube preamps I have owned and the highs were slightly rolled off. The PV-14L uses two 6C4WA tubes and I think you can find NOS tubes but I never tried "tube rolling" this pream. The ARC LS16 was much better in delivering the lower bass (but it costs more) and the BAT VK30se is better yet (and yes, it costs even more). BAT seems to do a great job with the sonics AS WELL AS the user interface. I would never pay huge bucks for a "high-end" tube preamp that forced me to get up out of my chair to adjust the volume or change input source! There's no excuse for this level of minimalist design in this day and age and especially at the ridiculously outrageous prices for some of these pieces.

Between the CJ PF-R and the BAT VK20 solid-state preamps, I felt that the CJ PF-R had slightly better dynamics and a sweeter sound. I really loved the sound of this preamp. I prefered the CJ PF-R sonics over the VK20 but the VK20 was very close and it has a MUCH better user interface and it has balanced XLR ins/out (in addition to standard RCA's) vs RCA's only with the CJ. The CJ PF-R uses a motor-driven volume pot and like I mentioned in my previous post, the volume control range is very limited (7 O'clock to 9 O'clock of practical adjustment range). This made it very difficult to precisely adjust the volume especially with the remote... I would always overshoot or undershoot my desired setting. This is a common complaint with the CJ PF-R. I doubt that anyone could use this preamp with the volume pot beyond the 10 o'clock position.

I couldn't tell you which is more reliable between BAT and CJ. Both companies make outstanding products and stand by their gear. I currently own a BAT preamp and two CJ power amps.

I stand by my original opinion. The BAT VK20 is the best value in the $1000 - $1200 range(used) and I'm entitled to my opinion, right? ;-)