Tube preamp with the "most" for 1k used, 2k new?

Must be also tonally accurate, extended and transparent.

Van Alstine has a used 4Si on his web site for around $450,not the last word in depth but with good 12AX7's in line stage(Orange Globe Amperex a treat)a very musical pre
with a clear,sweet and accurate sound.
Also decent headphone and phono amps.

Must be also tonally accurate, extended and transparent.
Pmboyd

Let's put it this way, if I substitute the Shrimp in place of the VAC Renaissance, I still enjoy the music. I am not sitting there thinking that the sound sucks in comparison to the VAC.

I cite this as a straight drop-in without changing cables other than XLR to RCA which I have both in the same model. So, no other system alterations whatsoever necessary when switching to the Shrimp.

The Shrimp has less low end heft but as a trade-off, sounds punchier in the bass. It is also not as extended at the top as the VAC. Consequently, some of the recorded ambience is not as completely separated from the notes played as heard through the VAC. But, there is still a certain puppy-like quality to the Shrimp that just makes it fun to listen to. The lack of remote control is a bit of a pain but the Shrimp has such a nice big smooth operating volume knob that it's a pleasure to get up, go over and give it a turn. The volume control is not stepped either which I hate.

I have no problems with hiss or hum which I also hate.

I much preferred the Shrimp to Audio Research SP16 or LS15.

Pmboyd,

From your description, tonally accurate and extended with a bias toward the warm side of nuetral, I think you would like the VTL 2.5 tubed preamp. It comes with a remote and is within your price range if you don't need the phono stage. I was on the same search a few yrs ago and found the answer with the VTL and NOS Mullards. Hope this helps.

Remember with a tube pre-amp and SS amp, it is important to go with an amp that has higher input impedance (I prefer 60K Ohm or higher in general, but 40K is probably OK). How high will vary depending on pre-amp output impedance peaks at certain frequencies, which is often poorly documented. I like to go with the general rule keep the output impedance spec on the pre low and the input on the amp as high as possible to minimize chances for distortion and poor dynamics.

I recall 3 of the leading contenders in a tube pre-amp for me were DeHavilland, ARC, and VTL. The Manley is interesting but was not on my radar at the time. My local dealer sells ARC so I got to hear the sp16, liked what I heard and ended up buying the sp 16 new though at a decent price in that it was near the end of its production run.