Solid State Preamp recommendation for $2500?


Hi,

I am looking for some Solid State preamp recommendations. My budget is up to $2500, new or used, perhaps could be stretched to $3000 for something really special. I have fairly neutral, easygoing equipment (upgraded McCormack amp and Tyler Acoustics speakers) and like to listen to all kinds of music, but primarily jazz, classical, electronic, and some rock.

Due to changing circumstances in my system (or rather discoveries) I have pretty much determined that a solid state preamp is the only thing that will work in my system. I have an amp and speaker combo that puts out some serious white noise from tube preamps (I have tried 4 so far, all with the same results, and all preamps were OK in other systems). I have tried 2 solid state preamps, both were dead quiet. So, it is either get rid of the amp, or get a solid-state preamp. As my amplifier is a McCormack DNA-125 rev Gold, I would take a serious hit if I were to sell it, and it sounds pretty darn good. I am guessing I would have to spend alot more than the $2200 I have into it to get comparable performance. Unfortunately, I love tube preamps, but am totally fed up with background hiss that is audible at 15 feet and muddies the music.

I did hear a Classe CP-700 recently that sounded wonderful, but it overshoots my budget, and I can't help but think I am paying for features that I don't need, like the cool but (for me) useless interface). I just want a nice 2-channel preamp, old-school/no remote is fine.
dawgcatching
If you liked the Classe consider the Classe CP-65. It was the top of the line Classe (other than the Omega series) before the touchscreen Delta series. It comes up occassionally for sale here. the CP-60 was similar, just the previous model. The CP-500 can also be had for less than $2500 used. Should be similar to the CP-700 but I have not compared then in detail. I use the CP-65 with a Levinon 432. It is dead quiet with very good dynamics.
Dtc,

Is the CP-65 essentially the same (sound-wise) as the CP-700? If so, I would likely be happy with it, as I don't need the CP-700's slick features. The outboard power supply was nice, however, and the unit sounded superior.

Any idea how the others mentioned sound compared to the CP-700? That is really the only nice SS preamp that has been in my system.
PS Audio GCP/GCPS. Nothing compares in this price range. Next best would be the Parasound JC 2, which just got product of the year from Absolute Sound, but is $4000
I have never been able to compare the CP-65 and the CP-700 in the same system, but my impression is that they are pretty similar in sound - both with the smooth, natural to slightly warm Classe sound. The CP-65 also has a separate power supply. It retailed originally for $5,000 but is usually listed at around $2,000 here these days. The CP-60 is very similar and is more like $1,500. The 65 has the 2 tone black and silver look, whereas the 60 came in all black or all silver. CP-65 is more refined, but not greatly different from the 60. Neither comes up often, but I think they are a great buy.