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Best Used Tube Based Preamp $2k Or Under?

As the title says, I am pondering my best options for purchasing a tube based preamp for $2k or under. Must have a remote! 

 

Your opinions, thoughts, and expertise would be greatly appreciated. If I was spending more, I would know most of the best choices, but I'm on unfamiliar ground at this price limit. But sometimes, you can only do what you can do. 

Thanks for any help. 

nightfall
whitestix
727 posts
 

It’s Tubes4hifi…

mazian's avatar
mazian
415 posts
 

If you lived in Australia I could sell you a 110v Aesthetix Calypso for just under US$2000 as I have upgraded to a VTL 5.5. The VTL is an upgrade but not by a lot.

tomic601's avatar
tomic601
13,022 posts
 

another vote for Aesthetix…and you can get factory upgrades…

bunkertoy's avatar
bunkertoy
59 posts
 

@mazian What's the sound signature of the Aesthetix Calypso, compared to VTL ? I would love to upgrade my VTL 2.5 to a VTL 5.5(balanced ins/Outs) I've heard it's a big jump. seems to be double the price of a used VTL 2.5.

BTW, I'm different than most, I think the communication with VTL is very good. Lots of haters for VTL service.

xenolith's avatar
xenolith
137 posts
 

Dodd Battery Powered Preamp.  About 1 a year comes up for sale and sells fast.  Widely regarded as one of, if not the quietest preamp ever made.  Super simple signal path.  End game for me...and apparently for many that hear it.

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