Preamp suggestions for Classe cap 150 under 1000

If I wanted a tube pre I'd build a Bottlehead project.
If I wanted solid state I get a used Bel Canto Pre3. Solid operation, volume goes up and down with zero sonic signature.

Check out the Quicksilver Audio linstage preamp. It is $995.00
new. It is a true bargain, I have the older model and originally
had it mated with a Classe model 15 amp. You can't go wrong
with Quicksilver, the stuff is outstanding ! BTW,there is one
listed here now. It is the older model and the asking price is
$800.00.A used one should go for between $500 and $600 at
the most.

"If I wanted solid state I get a used Bel Canto Pre3. Solid operation, volume goes up and down with zero sonic signature."

That's what they all say. lol.

Quite frankly, your desire to have a preamp that sounds less "muddy" than the CAP150, uses tubes, and costs less than $1000 might be one of those situations where you can "pick 2 of those 3 things".

Aside from the Quicksilver mentioned above, there are very few tube preamps that might not sound "muddy" to you relative to the Classe. A Marsh P2000t might work for you at around $600 used. (It was a steal even for its list price, IMHO.)

You might actually do better with solid state in that price range, such as a Classe DR5 or Musical Fidelity A3cr.

Better yet, though, you might be best off selling the integrated and getting a different integrated amp. Maybe a used Electrocompaniet or Plinius, for example.

That's probably what I would do with my money, as I feel it would be the best bang for the buck upgrade towards your stated goal.

Michael

Not a suggestion, but I used to have a system with a Classe-CAP 151 and an Exemplar-Denon 2900. I really loved both of those pieces.