Need Preamp Recommendation


I'm going back to separates after years of owning just integrated amps (some tube, mostly solid state). The amp will be solid state, pure class A. I'm keeping the cost down for now. Up to, say $2K, are there significant sonic differences between tube and SS preamps and what is your preference sonically to mate with (class A) SS?
greg7
i prefer tube preamps, preferably with a tube rectifier.  modwright makes a very nice one.  
pairs nicely with any amp as long as you impedance match.
Up to, say $2K, are there significant sonic differences between tube and SS preamps and what is your preference sonically to mate with (class A) SS?


1. yes
2. there are many good ones - i am sure you will soon get the laundry list of contenders
Well, I use a Aric Audio tube preamp with a Pass XA25 with great results. He makes one that retails at your price point. 

As with the Quicksilver mentioned by yogi, his preamps have low output impedance for a tube pre. 
Quicksilver is a huge bang for the buck.  I don’t own a QS preamp but I do have a pair of Mid Mono amps that are awesome for the money, as is the QS headphone amp.  Built like tanks.   Point to point wiring , super reliable 
Preamp is also point to point , rarely seen at this price...  it is labor intensive so most companies just use a printed circuit board.   
All my tube gear moving forward will be point to point.   Much more reliable and easier to fix in most cases.   I bet John at Audio Connection will tell you the same thing he told me when I bought headphone amp...  if you don’t love it I’ll take it back.  That type of confidence means he rarely sees a QS piece come back.  It’s good stuff