2. amps-preamps
  3. 1054749767

best budget pre used

Hi all...

i'm looking for advice on which pre might sound best w/my setup consisting of:

b&k st-140 > maggie MMG / mirage sfx-8 sub

I plan (eventualy) on getting a benchmark DAC-1 as my front end and bypassing a preamp entirely, but I need something to get me through for a while. anything at all will be an upgrade from what i'm coming off of.

so, anything in the sub $300 range will do. I see plenty of cheap rotels going for under $150, but i have to wonder.

thoughts?
would a b&k pre be best suited to the ST-140?
a tube pre? I'm eyeing a few within my pricre range. I love the tube sound, but I hear this ST-140 is warm sounding on its own and would rather have something clean and clear ahead of it.

thanks...
I apprecaite all of the great advice given to me over the last month or so.
128x128nickspicks
triumph
10 posts
 
Also try the Adcom 565 or 555II, full featured and clean sounding, with decent dynamics and soundstaging.
slipknot1
1,423 posts
 
I use a Counterpoint 7.1 tube pre with an ST 140 and have always found a nice synergy between the two. Have driven both MMG's and Sound Dynamics RTS 3's with the setup. The Counterpoint has a very nice phono section as well. I have seen them posted here for 250.00 - 275.00. They use 2 12AX7's and 2 6DJ8's per side.
blkadr
739 posts
 
If you can stretch just a little, I saw a Forte Model 2 for sale for $400 obo at a neighboring website. It also has a mm/mc phono section. I know I broke the bank, maybe you can work a better deal. Not many alternatives under $300 other than those mentioned above.
Post removed 
bin
119 posts
 
In my opinion the best pre you will get for that price is the Space Tech Lab QA001. http://www.space-tech-lab.com It Is a true giant killer. Check the site. Also do a search under Space-Tec-Lab here and at http://www.audioasylum.com/index.html. It is spectacular for the price!
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