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

mbmi's avatar

mbmi

589 posts

 

The best is AUDIO-GD Tube preamp. They are very musical and a great value.

koestner

677 posts

 

Underwood Hi-fi offers a real warranty if you buy Audio GD through them. They fix it in Georgia, US.

 

I have a friend in Chicago that loves his Audio GD that he bought from Wally. However, he has also told me that it only performs optimally with a balanced amplifier as it was designed for balanced operation.. My amplifier(s) are single ended only. 

 

Nightfall,

Like you, I have been looking for that perfect used tube preamp for under $2000 myself. Been through a few. Currently have an older Audible Illusions preamp that I love. Only pain was, no remote for volume control. I did find a fix. I stream music using a Wiim Pro and the Wiim comes with an optional remote that I purchased for $20. Works perfectly. Love the Audible Illusions even more now. 
Good luck hunting!

 

+1 Erhard. I have always been interested. I think he's close to retiring so you might be in touch about how long to get a unit and follow up if any service is needed.

@hightfall my friend had one for a year. Re-Sold it. He just wanted to try it for fun. No real "signature" that he commented about really - was a big collector of tube preamps and has owned and owns several of Dennis Had's Inspire Linestage units, another about to go up for sale later this year.  He felt the sound of Holger's preamp was more dependent the 6SN7 tubes used. Buddy just wanted to try one with tone controls and you might even notice the loudness switch too. Kinda fun.  All in the signal path of course when switched on.  Nobody does that any more, so its really something different. Best to contact Holger and talk with him directly, he's been doing these for a while. Its an option and kinda unique. Are there better preamps, sure.