I`m really interested in buying a tube preamp , but I want the best for the money I have . I want a tube preamp who really soft the sound and are really great in bass , because I really like electronic music and I want to refine it.
CAT's are nice as a reference. Also Audible Illusions, and stuff from CJ, ARC, VTL. But if you really want to soften things up, get an old conradjohnson PV5. Not the most neutral, but wonderful for hard, electronic sounding stuff. About $500=$600 used.
I've quite impressed with the vtl 2.5. I think they sell new for 1500. The vtl it-85 integrated 85 watt is very good as well. I have heard great things about the Audio Research 2's, and 5's. The 2 can be found used for around 1000. If you don't need a tube preamp, take a listen to the adcom 750. It is amazingly transparent in passive mode. I run it in front of tube monoblocks.
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