2. amps-preamps
  3. 161062-152187

Budget Tube Preamp ($2000)

Hello guys,
First post here!

I am in the market for a tube preamplifier for my current system, to add a bit of warmth. My budget is under $2000, the cheaper the better, Mainly looking at the used market (I love great deals). 
My build currently:
- Monitor Audio Silver 300 speakers
- Project Debut Carbon Turntable
- Marantz Cd5005 CD player
- Cambridge Audio Azur 851N
- Rotel RB 1582 Mkii Power Amp

If you guys have suggestions, I appreciate it a lot! For the inputs, if the preamp has XLR that would be great as I'm currently running my Azur 851N to my amp through a balanced connection and it sounds pretty good. This is not completely necessary though. 

Thanks!


128x128saltboy
yogiboy's avatar
yogiboy
5,718 posts
 
@hilde45
I have the same QS preamp that you have. Two screws, one screw on two opposite corners is enough to hold the cover down without any movement!

hilde45's avatar
hilde45
4,986 posts
 
@yogiboy  That's too obvious! I'm such an idiot. 
yogiboy's avatar
yogiboy
5,718 posts
 
@ hilde45
No you’re not. I just got tired of removing those 18 screws when rolling tubes. As a matter of fact I don’t use any screws!
mozartfan
2,143 posts
 
Cayin 12AU7 line stage under $1500 = best bang. 
Matches Jadis's quality /sound at less than 1/10th the price.
avanti1960
1,484 posts
 
find a rogue dealer that will deal on a new Rogue Audio RH 5 tube linestage headphone amp.  2500 retail, you should be able to get close to budget.    xlr in and out, driving dynamic transparent sound, adjustable gain, stereophile class A.  
gives the $5k RP7 that i upgraded to a serious run for the $
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