2. amps-preamps
  3. 128480-90127

Looking to upgrade my preamp, suggestions?

Decided it is time to try out a newer preamp, have upgraded everything else over last couple of months bar this so...
Present pre is an ARC LS2 with gold lion tube and herbies tube damper.
Rest is Esoteric sa-50, bat vk600se and b&w 804d.
Listen exclusively to rock music, old and new
Important to myself, solid bass, vocals and soundstage, a remote might be nice too...lol
Thinking along the lines so far of bat vk32se, a newer ARC like ls17 or 27. Yes all tubes
Suggestions along solid state lines please?
budget is about 3500 max
Prefer to hear from actual owners of preamps suggested for your actual experiences
thank you all in advance 
uberwaltz
gdnrbob
4,491 posts
 
An Atma-Sphere MP-3 used,may be a bit more than your budget, but it does have remote option and you can run both balanced and RCA.
Ain't nothing like Zero feedback.
The Ayre would be a close match.
Bob
mountainsong's avatar
mountainsong
422 posts
 
I tried many pre-amps under 10k. I ended up with the Gamut D3i stunning musical and transparent. I tried Luxman C700u, VAC R MKII, Hegel P30, PS audio BHK, McIntosh three of them and many others.
Best of luck.
fbpearce
57 posts
 
DeHavilland Ultraverve, quiet with great imaging. 
miketuason
337 posts
 
Kind of pricy but I'm very satisfied with my McIntosh C2300 tube pre.
stereo5's avatar
stereo5
6,539 posts
 

A little over your budget, but I bought a new Rogue RP5 tube preamp for 3500.00 in October 2016.  I like it very much and it gels perfectly with my system.

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