Preamp recommendation

The Schiit Freya+ is a great preamp for the money and gives you options for passive or active with tubes thrown in if you want them. I’ve got one on one of my systems and I love it. I’ve heard good things about the JC-2 as well. 

I have JC-2 and love it. Marantz TT, Sumiko Blackbird, Musical Fidelity M6 Phono. Balanced inputs. There is one on Audiogon now for $1,900. Precision Audio, they will deal. Everyone wants the BP for the home theater bypass. If you don’t you can get a bargain.

I sold McIntosh SS, bought Vintage McIntosh Tube Tuner/Preamp, best preamp I ever owned, FM terrific, Phono Inputs 1 and 2 fabulous.

mx110z

https://positive-feedback.com/Issue77/vintage_mcintosh_experience.htm

http://www.berners.ch/McIntosh/en/MX110.htm

they have risen in price, only a few around now, here's one, $2,725. delivered.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/McIntosh-MX110-MX110Z-Tube-Tuner-Pre-amplifier/154189802251?hash=item23e66d...



this is early mx110 (not Z, see black horizontal volume wheel), with a nice wood case, $900. local pickup only, however, in the wood case, it would be easy to box, perhaps you could convince seller to ship insured.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/McIntosh-Model-MX110/184546512309?hash=item2af7d44db5:g:UokAAOSw5QNftusb

Check out Rogue.  YOu can get a RP-1 brand new for $1.5K and there is a used RP-5 on here for $2.4K

Do research on budget tubed designs like Rogue and Schiit especially regarding noise.

In your budget I cant think of a single tube preamp that I would consider unless you are willing to go used.