First tube preamp recommendations (under $5k)

What I don't know is if ML2 will be competitive or better than stuff like a used VAC Ren V or ARC Ref 5.


Some of the hand built tube equipment from small companies doesn't only compete with the big name brand equipment it surpasses in many instances at more reasonable prices.

What I don’t know is if ML2 will be competitive or better than stuff like a used VAC Ren V or ARC Ref 5.

1.  no one here in this conversation is a rookie... there is really only one way to really find out ...

2.  in this stratosphere of linestages, NONE are poor, it is a matter of what works for the specific user, his tastes, his desire for certain features etc etc

I wish someone compared them though. Would make it easier to jump in.

Lots and lots of solid recommendations here. I don’t disagree with any of them.

However, I suggest you take your browser to the top the "amps-preamps" section and click on the "Popular all-time" tab. At the very top of that tab you’ll find the "Preamp deal of the century" thread. Over 26 million page views. It spans two decades. It is all about Supratek preamps, hand made in Australia. The "entry-level" Supratek preamp is well within your budget. These are very highly regarded preamps. Hand built. Point-to-point wiring. LIFETIME GUARANTEE.

Oh, one more thing. There are a few posts on this thread that are critical of the 6SN7 tube as being "iffy" in quality and reliability. I respectfully disagree. The Suprateks are supplied with readily available tubes that are very reliable and last, like, forever. There are a lot of good 6SN7 tubes out there and there's a reason they're used a lot in preamps. They sound great. And there are good ones currently in production. Psvane, Linlai, for instance.

As a tube lover I would advise you to avoid preamps with 12ax7 or 12au7. Too much gain on the 12ax7 for a preamp, and 12au7 isn’t a great sounding tube in any role (but tends to be used a LOT in audio, unfortunately). 6SN7, 6922/6DJ8, 6H30 - these can be great preamp tubes. Even 5687 can be cool. Also I’ve not been a fan of the hybrid tube/SS preamps so far. Choose one or the other!