If you have Klipschhorns you need a quiet preamp more than anything. With a sensitivity of 104 dB, any noise will be revealed by the speakers. I have K-horns too and I'm looking for a new preamp in order to get less noise. At the moment I have a Linn Kolektor preamp that has all the features one would like (10 inputs incl. phono, tone controls, remote, etc.) at a fair price (around $1000), but there is a constant noise floor that is clearly audible at the listening position. The noise floor of the Kolektor was not a problem when I had inefficient Infinity Kappa 90 speakers (88 dB). I've been recommended a few quiet preamps, but most of them are quite expensive (Mark Levinson, Boulder, Halcro, Classé, Accustic Arts, Accuphase, McIntosh). Accuphase preamps have tone controls (and much more), but they cost an arm and a leg. McIntosh C45 and C46 are a bit cheaper ($3600 and $4600) and they have tone controls. I've been recommended a couple of mid-priced quiet preamps as well: Bel Canto Pre2 ($2500) and BVaudio P10 ($1800). They don't have tone controls, but they should be quiet according to the specs. The Aragon 28k you mentioned looks quiet according to specs too. The Parasound Halo P3 has tone controls, but it's not very quiet according to specs (and reviews at audioreview.com). According to specs, the Anthem TLP1 preamp+tuner should be quiet, but you never now. It's fairly cheap ($800) and has tone controls. The Rotel RC-1070 has a "contour" control but it's not quiet enough according to specs. I have not tested any of the equipment mentioned here, so I don't really know... As for tone controls, I have them but I never use them. I'd go for a quiet preamp. Whatever you choose, please let us know. Good luck.
