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
jasonbourne, which one of those preamps is your favorite or go to one? I am curious. I like buying something that is classic or proven back in the day and picking up on ebay when seller moves on to new stuff. Counterpoint is pretty interesting. I remember in the 80s how cool it was. 
Anyone ever mess with the quicksilver full function preamplifier? 
Also should I be worrying about gain levels since the output on my McIntosh mc352 is so high? Would I want a preamp with low gain so I can still play music at low-ish volumes? Right now the Lowest possible volume I can go on this shitty Amazon pre-amp is still not that low

thanks again 
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