Modern "Vintage" Sounding Preamps

@greg7 A number of very good comments about parts and upgrade opportunities with the SP-11 and other AR & CJ preamps. If you decide to go that route, you may want to consider upgrades by Backert  Labs. They evolved from a predecessor company RHB Sound Designz that grew a wide following by doing upgrades to CJ and Audio Research gear. They're in Pennsylvania, USA. Cheers,

Spencer

Yes, Quicksilver is great stuff....  can't be beat for the money in my opinion.   Greg, I keep telling you, call Mike at QS and tell him you need a pre wired with dual RCA outputs.....

You would be lucky if you can get a new one.

I ordered a 100WPC amp two months ago, but it is still not ready to be shipped. QS has now a huge backlog of transformers to go with their amps.

VanAlstine Super PAS3.  This is a Dynaco PAS-3 rebuilt by VanAlstine- all new and upgraded parts, bypassed tone stage, more robust power supply.  This preamp is an excellent combination of vintage warmth, and relatively modern accuracy.  Can be found for less than $1k.  This preamp is a great value.

CJ PV5 can be found for between $1200-$1500 / maybe less if you get lucky, but expect to pay at least $500 for restoration.  So all in cost will be around $2k.  Everything you have read about it is true.  It is also sensitive to noisy tubes.

Earlier CJ designs such as the PV2ar lean towards vintage warmth, but are still very nice to listen to, and work well with modern sources and amplifiers.  Can be found for between $750-$1500 depending on spec and condition.

Audio Research SP10 (original or MK-II).  More vintage warmth than the SP11, but still very competitive with modern preamps.  2 phono inputs, and on the fly cartridge loading make this a very flexible preamp.  Secret is out on this one; expect to pay $2500-$3000+ for clean examples.

Audio Research SP-3.  For many this is the benchmark among "modern" tube preamps, with one foot firmly in the vintage side, and the other in the modern side.  What is ironic is that when this design was current, it was only 15yrs or so removed from the high point of tube design.  Meaning it is much closer to the classic golden era, than it to the current era.   And given its age, it will likely need freshening.  Holds value well, and easily found at different price points depending on condition.

Audible Illusions Modulus 2 or 3 (not 3a or 3b).  These were the original Modulus designs, and owe much to vintage tube designs and sonics.  There is warmth and the midrange is quite lush.  But it is also much more quiet than true vintage preamps, and has a more robust power supply.  Can be found for about $1k.

Since you have phono as well as line input needs, consider a good used Audio Research SP6B preamp, or the all-tube (include regulation) SP8.  The phono input on this line of Preamps was as good sounding or better than almost any other preamp of its time, and will give today's preamps a run for the money.  You'll need a transformer or pre-preamp (headamp) if you are using a low-output moving coil cartridge, but if you have a good moving magnet you may forget MC forever. with this preamp.  It sounds wonderful through the line stages as well.  And pre-sorted tube sets for the preamps (12AX7) are available through several dealers if that appeals to you .