PreAmp shortlist:ARC LS8MKII, BC BC21, Rogue 99?

Bat VK3i...anothe good one for your list...VK5 might be just above you 1500 mark...

What amp and speakers are you matching this with? that might determine what's best for you...

I am completely rebuilding after a bad Home Theatre experience. I have a auditioned the Vandersteen 2ce sig and the new ProAc mini monitors that are replacing the Tablette 2000 and to my ears the ProAcs were much better. The Vandersteens were way to laid back for my tastes. I have Paradigm Mini monitors right now, that I can use temporarily so I will get speakers last. I am also getting rid of my Denon Cd player, I am leaning towards a used Audiomeca Keops, Cal CL-15, or possibly a Theta Transport and DAC combo.
As far as amp I have listened to the Rogue 88 and the ARC VTM200 (unfair comparison I know), I liked the ARC better, had better low level detail and transparency to my ears. I also listened to the CJ CAV 60 integrated and it sounded to bloomy for me.
Hope this helps,
Meby

Audible Illusions Modulus 3A??

If you go with the ARC amp, I'd say go with the preamp as well...But the VTM200 is a awful lot of power for those speakers. Money might be better spent elsewhere...go with a stereo vt100 instead?

I was just using the VTM 200 to describe the sound quality I like, if I could afford those suckers I would buy them. But they are way out of my price range!