Opinions on the current market

English,

Lesson on buying when uncertain-as I am always- 
1. Patience
2. No unknown makers
3. Original owner only.
4. Not over 2 years old


If you follow the above your odds of unloading a change of heart
purchase without getting a sharp haircut are much improved.

Now back to your actual question. My suggestions is to buy
an refurb. Audible Illusions from maker or one his two favorite
retailers. Get the "L" model which comes with a remote. Important
for resale.

If you don't think the AI is the right match, Hilde's  list does not seem
to contain any definite "Nos" in my book.

The market is weird right now.  Lots of people are selling but just as many people are sitting at home, listening critically to their systems and are buying.  If you look, there are very few silly deals out on the used market. 

If you want new gear and are willing to buy what someone has in stock, brick and mortar retailers are hurting.  Liquidating inventory, even with minimal profit frees up cash and cash flow is a concern.  Store demos always represent a good value and that is where you can probably turn up an unusually good deal.  Don't expect it in the used market at this time.  Maybe in a couple months if the lock-down continues.  

Regarding your tube pre, what features are you looking for?  How much gain do you need?  I have my a retail demo for sale but have no idea if it is a decent fit for your gear.  

+1 @chorus  One nuance you might include with your four rules for the OP is whether those rules apply equally to all gear or not. I'm pretty sure the OP will find some gear owned by more than one person that would be perfectly fine. 

One issue with smaller stores is inventory. If a dealer has something in stock, a good deal is waiting generally. However, I have been asking around about the Mac C2700 pre. Not many dealers have stock and the factory has been shut down. 

Wants/needs list:

remote
HT bypass (although I can get around it, and may do that since I’m also concerned about ‘burning up’ tube life when the system is in tv/movie watching mode, and most but NOT all pres require the pre is on for bypass to work). I’d like balanced connections, as even on my Marantz AVP8802a from my Oppo balanced outputs, it does sound slightly better. @verdantaudio I don’t know about gain, my Odyssey Stratos is spec’d at 22Kohm impedance, if that helps. No phono, the only source will be the Oppo (and AVP via HT input).
@chorus. Your points are good, although the 2 year old part may be tough(er). That’s one reason I’m thinking of older ‘heavy hitter’ brands where the vast majority of depreciation will have occurred already.

thanks all!!