First tube preamp recommendations (under $5k)

Either the most expensive Vincent Audio “Pho” or a Pro-Ject Tube Box. I’ve owned both; think they are more or less equivalent in sound. 

Simple - buy a used Counterpoint preamp just not the slim line SA-3 or SA-5.  All you need is a SA1000,  Send it to me for modifications - AC filter choke, Audio Note non-magnetic resistors - Amtrans resistors, Nichicon capacitors - maybe Audio Note capacitors - V-Caps, upgrade the volume control.  Now you don't have to spend $5K or more.  Just peak inside any of the recommendations above.  See if anyone of those preamps have any of these parts inside!  Short answer - not one of them.  Why spend $5K on a preamp that uses below average parts.  If you want I will even remove the Counterpoint guts and build you a point-to-point wired version which will just blow your mind.

Happy Listening.  

A winning circuit design will sound better with cheap parts than a average circuit design with top notch parts.

invalid, I'll tell you what, I contacted STL they responded QUICKLY, I asked a simple question and got a simple answer. I wanted balanced input on his Tube EQ TEQ-100. He responded we will design one for you and call it TEQ-200.

THAT is the answer a buyer/user/tinker want to hear..

Same reason I like Decware, You want it we got it.. JUST ask..

Point to point is great so is a well designed logic board, NOW combine the two, that is the real trick.. The best of ALL worlds and still short, sterile, QUIET pathways.

VTL did it, Herron kind of did it.. FET/Tube combo

None of the Tech is cheap either.. BUT Art can be expensive, AY?

Regards

This is a no brainer this preamp beat the very good Linear tube 
preamp, as well as a excellent Audio valve preamp this is built better then anything I have seen under $10 k . Underwood Wally carries it .this company I overlooked ,before ,but  now they are sold and serviced in the U.S .the whole line the last 2 years is totally reengineered i just bought the excellent R8 mk2 dac ,and heard this preamp with a pass labs 250 ,and the same dac I bought it was Excellent on every level ,and all top shelf relay controlled for under $3800 a Steal. You would have to spend well over 2 x the cost to come close .if I didnot just buy a new Coda integrated amp I would buy this for my 2nd system .
https://hometheaterhifi.com/reviews/amplifier/preamplifier/audio-gd-vacuum-he1-xlr-tube-preamplifier...