Who makes the least expensive Tube Pre-Amp?

Build your own - that's EXACTLY what I did. Bottlehead makes one called the Foreplay. Its super good, costs something like $250, and takes about 8 hours to build. I hadn't soldered ever, and I was able to put it together without a single problem. GREAT instructions.

If you like it, you can upgrade it. Or you sell it here for what you paid and buy a nicer make/model.

my vote for an entry-level preamp goes to
Quicksilver.

If you can do without a remote, it can be had
for under 500$ ( I think the list is 1100$? ) and sounds
better than the remote version.

It doesn't have the warmish romantic *tube sound*,
but, its neutral midband ( I prefer it that way ) has a
plenty of resolution, clarity and immediacy which lacks in many entry-level
preamps.

A good bass control and excellent pacing are added bonus
for most tube preamps in this price range as well.

Only caviat is that it has a good amout of gain so that
make sure it'll work with your amp before commit.

I have owned 2 budget tube pre's. Both inexpensive both awesome sound and value.

First I owned an Audio Electronic Supply AE-3 not only was it inexpensive....for very little $$ you can perform many DIY upgrades and Mods that improve performance exponentially. Even better it only runs on 2 6sn7's so tube rolling is very cheap and easy!
Now I have a Rogue 66 Magnum. A GREAT budget tube pre. She is more transparent with Blacker backgrounds than the AE-3...but I have to admit, I really miss the AE-3. The phono stage on the Magnum is not my taste...I liked the Creek 0BH-8se much better that was replaced. I was disappointed ...I was expecting an improvement in my phono stage.

So yes ..my vote goes wholeheartedly to the AE-3!

I have a Quicksilver phono stage that sounds great. If you have a TT try a phono tube stage and see how how you like it. Just a suggestion IMHO.

Love the Black flat discs best

audio experience, here on Audiogon