Audible Illusions vs. Audio Research?

if you budget is in that same price range, pickup an Adcom GFP750 for a bargain preamp (run passive when you're not listening to rock) and active when you are.. they sell for about $700 used here. The next step would be to upgrade your CDP. Don't do buy any singlebit players.

Sand/shot fill your speaker stands, spike them if you have carpet. this will help with bass response and imaging. If you stands don't have spikes at the top, then buy some "BLUE TACK" to stick them to the stands. (this can be found at any craft store to put posters on walls without tacks or tape)

The CJ might just need tubes, but it will never be a rock and roll pre-amp.

The Audible Illusions preamps(L-1, M3A or new L-2) form a synergy with the McCormack equipment and offer excellent sound. M3A has phono, other two do not. However, the new L-2 does offer a factory phono board as an option and is remote control which the others aren't.
For the price they are offered used, they can't be beat!
The ARC Reference stuff is better for a lot more money but not that much better and in some instances, highly debatable on an individual impression to what good sound is. I'm basing this opinion on having used all of the AI stuff at some point and direct comparison to ARC. I'm sure other opinions will be along shortly.

The McCormack amps are quite sensitive so you need to be careful with gain. I have heard and read many times that the AI pre's work well with McCormack. I would think passive's as well.

Regards,

I've always thought CJ preamps are quite veiled also (haven't heard their newer "reference" units, however). Try to audition an ARC LS-16 Mk-II. These can be had in the low 2K if bought used. Let us know how it works out...

bigtee brought up an excellent point about the AI products I owned a L1 for quite some time excellent piece without the CJ bloom , no phono but a single volume control and no remote. the 3 and 3a both have two volume knobs for each channel which provides the purest isolated circuits but sucks if you tweek volume like I do for each song. Hence a Remote is a requirement for my preamp.
The ARC LS16 that Dweller recommends would also be an excellent preamp... and if you are in that 2k price range, and want to run single ended (RCA's) then there some Placette Actives for sale right now that are unbelievable performers with pinpoint volume control. This is what I've graduated to, and would give with your rock and roll system