Best Options For A Tubed Preamp - $2500 Or Less, Preferably Used To Maximize Value


As the title says, I'm interested in your thoughts on what are the ebst options for a tube based preamp, $2500 or under. I generally buy used to maximize what I can get. Definitely prefer a warmer sound signature, but not to the degree where details and impact are lost. 

What are the best values out there, in this price range, in your opinion? Any expertise, perspectives and experience greatly appreciated. Thanks. 

nightfall

If you you are lucky, you can find a PrimaLuna Evo400. Great tubes to start. Better with NOS tubes. Easy to play with. Reliable. People will often discredit without having experience with... just because designed in Netherlands but built in China. That is actually what wakes it an amazing deal for the quality of components. It has balanced ports too. I upgraded to a Shindo, which is better, but not night and day, and at a price.

+3 on the Freya +. 
Mine with Ken-Rad VT231’s in the gain stage and CBS-Hytron 5692’s in the buffer is the best combo of tubes that I’ve rolled 

I agree with @vinylvalet. Black Ice Audio does offer excellent value for their products and brings the fun back into music playback. BUt on the used market be sure to check out companies like Audio Research, Balanced Audio Technology, PS Audio BHK, and of course McIntosh. I now I've left several other in your budget but I'll leave that the to rest of the people here. 

"The amp, while very high quality is a very little know cult model."

It is also completely unknown in this/your thread asking advice as to what to mate with it.

 

DeKay