Preamp under $2,000 used

Georgehifi and I should at least get free t-shirts from Schiit…I haven't "auditioned" piles of preamps and the one the Freya replaced is a serious dual mono Kavent/Vincent beast, but I like tubes, and the Freya certainly "seems" to work really well. Interestingly, switching between the passive/FET/tube modes via the remote keeps everything honest in a way I like...

My favorite preamp is from Don Sachs.  It is by far the most musical preamp I have ever had.  I previously had CJ, HK, Berning, Modwright, Belles, and a few others I know forget, and the Don Sachs preamp is clearly the best.  

Owner of both Don Sach's DS2 6SN7 Tube Pre-Amp and Kootenay KT88 Tube Amp; an Outstanding combination that evokes a life-like performance in your listening 

Definitely the Ayre K5xeMP, basically the latest iteration, though it may be a bit above 2K used.

To add to that, I own the Ayre k5xeMP, and I love it. It has an open, smooth sound, maybe a touch of sweetness, has one of the best volume controls I have ever had the pleasure of using. Fully balanced, dead quiet. Replaced a Dehavilland Ultraverve 3 and is better than it. Though I may soon put it on the market as I am very happy with my new tube integrated and I am not planning to keep my SS separates.