Looking for a tube Preamp new or used for under $2000...

I LOVE my McIntosh mx110z Tube Tuner/Preamp. I would replace it in a heartbeat if it died.

The z version has gone up in price, a bit over your budget max.

Earlier version, mx110 (has black horizontal volume control) is less money, also highly praised.

This early mx110 has been re-furbed, it has ink worn off the front panel, easy enough to fix with a sharpie

https://www.ebay.com/itm/363270393203



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some info about the difference of earlt and later z versions here

https://forums.stevehoffman.tv/threads/mcintosh-mx110-vs-mx110z.337718/

McIntosh MX 110 (EARLY)

http://mcc.berners.ch/tuner-pre-amps/MX110EARLY.pdf

MX 110Z (LATE)

http://mcc.berners.ch/tuner-pre-amps/MX110LATE.pdf

The way to tell the difference at a glance is the concentric on/off volume and rotary balance control on the late version; slider balance control on early.

Other refinements include end caps which are slimmer and vertically "Veed" on later version.

There doesn't seem to be much of a consensus as to which may sound better which suggests they probably sound essentially alike.

Agreed 100% with Steve, cosmetic condition is paramount; functional issues can always be tended.

A highly regarded and quintessential piece of vintage Mc. An essential for the vintage Mc collector.

I second the recommendation of Aric Audio. Great products at real human prices,and Aric is great to deal with.  However, I agree with soix,what are you looking to improve? What shortcomings are you trying to overcome? 

Have a look at the Linear Tube Audio MZ2 - great tube preamp and a wonderful headphone amp with remote volume. With the upgraded power supply it is a bit over $2K new. Hard to find used but there is one on AudioCircle currently. It won't provide a lot of softness or excess tube warmth if that's what you are looking but it made my system come alive with presence, immediacy and enough tube sound to take any edge off digital sources (all I listen to). Easy to tube roll with as well - I changed the stock NOS input tubes to 60's Mullard 12AU7's and am very pleased.

Thanks everyone, geof the sp16 is what I was looking at, but if it didn’t make a larger enough improvement I should look elsewhere.
I just feel like my P6 is holding back some clarity and warmth. I don’t want a laid back sound, but I think a solid preamp would keep the background noise dead silent.

New Rogue RP1 tube preamp, less than 2K