Please recommend a good Tube preamp.

I just purchased a SAS Audio Labs 10-A linestage. It is currently running at 1,995. It has receive rave reviews from MGD at Bound for Sound, and at the Audui Circles. I replaced a Bryston BP-20 with it that I liked very much. The strengths of the 10-A are:

1. Transparency
2. Tuneful Bass
3. Rich mids
4. Natural Timbres

If I had to state a weakness I would say that the images are not outlined in a sppoky way like some units do, but it still images very well. You really get a good sence of hall with the unit. I believe Steve Sammet, the owner, still offers a 45 day money back guarantee

www.sasaudiolabs.com

Conrad Johnson

Emotive Audio

I've been living with the Poeta for a year and a half, very pleased with it. It would be nice to have a remote control, but that's a tall order for a preamp of this quality/price point.

I agree with Czbbcl, the Conrad Johnson Pre in your price range. Great company, good support, reliable, woderfully musical. All the virtues of a tube pre, great midrange, sounstage etc, but quiet and reliable. I have heard others but use the Premier 17 and do not forsee changing

Cary SLP-98 with factory options: oil caps and direct coupling (not sure how compatible the latter is with SS amps, however). Ballsy yet refined w/good NOS 6SN7s...NOT for playing background music! Comes with remote. Replaced a $5K tube linestage in my system and I've never looked back.