Best Used Tube Based Preamp $2k Or Under?

There is a Cary SLP-98 on US audio mart right now for $2000usd. It's an older posting.

I find the Cary SLP98 usually prices at $2000 - $2300 depending on upgrades.

Not many VTL's get posted in the used market. I guess everyone is happy keeping their VTL, like myself. :)

@nightfall 

Honestly, the DeHavilland UltraVerve III is at the top of my wish list. However, as you know, these only rarely pop up for sale, and the vast majority seem to be units without remote control. 

I'd like to push back very politely about this a little (totally friendly-like!).

First, I set an alert for the DeHavilland in USAM. I was surprised they came up somewhat regularly. To test my claim, click HERE (HiFi Shark) and search Used/Expired and look at the dates.

As for remote control -- someone might be able to add one.

Second, the Cary preamp has SIX 6SN7 tubes. That's a lot of tubes. The Dehavilland has one.

Third, I had the Quicksilver Preamp. It comes up used often. It is quiet and sounds good but a bit dry, clinical. No tube changes made that better. I think the 6SN7 is a better preamp tube.

@nightfall the Cary preamp has SIX 6SN7 tubes. That's a lot of tubes. The Dehavilland has one.

I believe the Cary slp-98 only requires 4 X 6SN7

https://carydirect.com/shop-now/preamplifiers/slp-98l.html

@hilde45 Second, the Cary preamp has SIX 6SN7 tubes. That’s a lot of tubes. The Dehavilland has one.

Slight correction, fyi. Requires FOUR (4), not SIX. The other smaller 12xx7 are for phono section, if you choose to have phono. Yep, it does require a quad of 6SN7s though. Find your best quad, and order a backup quad for spares if you like them.

Tried several, still using either PSVANE or TJ Full Music in my 98 now. They are as good or better than any of my vintage 6SN7 black plates now stored away.  

https://caryaudio.com/products/slp-98/

To answer your questions, as noted in the title of this discussion, my max budget is $2k,

Yes, a remote is critical. 

As for the Dehavilland pre's, I have not found anyone who has, has every heard of, or has any idea of how a remote could be added. 

I only sold the Modwright due to a forced downsizing because of circumstances quite a few years back. It was an excellent unit. There was a specific combination of tubes that Dan told me took it to another level. I don't recall what those were. I am a big Modwright fan,and have spent a bit of time with Dan, phone and at shows. 

And yes, the quad of 6SN7's that the Cary SLP-98 uses concerns me a bit because of what a costs for a nice quad of those  NOS tubes.