Tube preamp with Adcom amp

Don’t forget about impedance matching when getting a tube pre for a solid state amp. Most preamps will be ok just saying…double check. 

Audio Research LS-25…if you can find it, get it. 

Also Rogue RP1 and RP5 are good options. 

The Music Room (TMRAudio.com) currently has 4 tube preamps for sale that are within your price range:

1) Audible Illusions = $1392

2/3) Conrad Johnson = $1299 & $1899

4) Modwright = $1551

The Music Room has a "buy it - try it" policy on used gear. If I was in your shoes, the Modwright would be my first choice (FWIW).

Again, thanks for all the recommendations. I am leaning towards the CJ but I have not decided yet. My ideal is to get a warmer sound without losing articulate tight bass.

If looking specifically at the cj ET3 or the PV12L on TMR, I’d bet the PV12 is closer to the classic cj tube sound than the more recent ET3 with remote. That cj sound signature has changed over time.

My experience with the Adcom GFA5500 was with a CJ Premier 2 and Audio Research LS-2 B Both sounded great. My Speakers were Dahlquist DQ 20.

Very Close to the Vandersteen's