Looking for warm tube preamp (should pair well with Pass power amp), budget $6000

@smodtactical Only because this is a public forum that many people read and extrapolate conclusions, I want to put this out of here. I’ve heard resale being a concern, however I see the occasional Motherlode II, as well as others of my preamps (when available) selling for right about the same percentage of MSRP as many other brands. Example: New Unlimited II which sold for $1250 two years ago selling for $950. The only things I don’t see selling well are custom pieces that the customer wanted to choose colors to match their system and then wonders why nobody wants a yellow preamp (this is a made up example). I understand it's not as easy of a sale, unless the buyer is familiar with the brand and gear however. Best wishes, Aric

Hello,

if you can get a Cary Audio SLP-05 from Cary, snag it. You will not be disappointed. Works with just about any amplifier, SS or Tube

@smodtactical I've talked with Aric and emailed back and forth.  His stuff looks great and apparently sounds great but I can't get over what you said. Resale would be lucky to be 50% on a barley used piece. That's thousands of dollars in a matter of weeks.  I'm not just talking about Aric's equipment alone, any of the more obscure builders will have the same issue until you get to Don Sachs or Supratek levels of hype. I wish they would offer a home trial, even if it had a small restocking fee (a couple hundred dollars at most). I suppose business is good enough without the trial so why would it be needed? 

A local Pass dealer I know sells the VTL preamps mostly, rather than Pass' own. I can't imagine one really needs to warm up a Pass amp as it's already designed towards the warmer side but maybe try a used VTL 5.5 preamp.  There's one on another classified website for $5k right now. No idea who the seller is or have any affiliation.

@bhvf you got it bud. Theres a 300b beautiful looking Aric power amp that someone has been trying to sell for a good 2-3 years I think. Originally for $8k and now hes down to $5500 ish and apparently msrp was $14k. It is really brutal and risky.

You are right with  sachs the risk is way lower since his preamps are only around $3k or less and he has a pretty well respected name so your are only going to take a 20-30% hit on it.

I don't think Pass is as warm as people make it out to be. Or it could be im craving lots of warmth cause I love the sound of my crack OTL head amp which is very warm. ATCs are very very neutral (I feel they might even be a touch bright) and so that doesn't help things. ARC known to be neutral as well. So you have neutral speakers, preamp, maybe slightly warm power amp.

VTL (from extensive research) is very neutral and going after that SS/tube hybrid sound. Its actually shockingly tough to find someone who makes a high quality euphonic rich sounding tube amp. It seems most people want neutrality.

Just to be accurate: The amp on USAudiomart was one the customer was determined to choose each and every part, and it was nowhere near $14K. It’s not a reviewed piece, and is not one I currently offer. I would not spend $200 on an IEC jack if it were my choice. Motherlode II sales (the two I’ve seen) were 30% less than MSRP. The two Transcend PP amps I’ve seen sell recently- 30% off MSRP. Let’s at least keep it factual. Peace out.