Low budget vintage preamp or new


I’m new to this hi-fi world and wow wow wow it is so exciting. Been nerding out big time in these forums and am happy to be a part of this now.

I got Heresy IV’s, a McIntosh MC352, a Project S Box and a $50 amazon dilvpoetry preamp. I spent nearly all of the money I have right now besides about $1,300 I saved for a preamp. 

I definitely want a tube preamp, and am looking most closely at the Audio Research LS7 and the Schitt Freya +. Honestly even with the $50 preamp I’m still totally floored every time I turn the system on and do not think I have had a single conversation with anyone in the past couple weeks that did not at some point turn to how dope the hi-fi world is. 

What are your thoughts on the lower end Audio Research amps? I’m a bit nervous they’ll hum, that I’ll need to spend a lot of time and money repairing them, and that they probably won’t work so well when I use my system to play movies, which I will certainly do at times. 

What do you think? Are there other preamps I should be looking at? Thanks so much for your time


128x128oitsliver
Here"s what I have: Conrad Johnson PV-3 (four-tubes) and an Audio Research SP6 (six tubes).  Both excellent preamps and not too expensive. $600 and $850 are the approximate prices I paid. They work fine! Bought on eBay. 
What's the purpose of a preamp?  Do you want remote volume control?  Would a passive preamp work?  It would allow you to switch sources and turn down the volume.  Are you going to listen to vinyl?  For that you would need a phone input.  If you are going to vinyl what kind of cartridge moving coil, moving magnet. 

You need to decide how many inputs you need,. What are the devices.  If it's just a DAC and video you would be better off with a simple AB switch box.
I also have three more tube preamps: a Dynaco PAS-3 (DKL Labs mod), a Counterpoint and a Trevor Lees. All under $1K apiece and from eBay. Any of these and the two above are easy recommendations!