Best tube pre under 1500?

New or used? Tube or solid state?

A tubed unit either new or used. Thanks, Brad

I think the Sound Valves VT-101i at $750.00 is one of the great bargins in all of hi-fi.It has that vintage tube midrange and great bass. IMHO the phono stage in it is worth $750.00. And it was one piece of gear that I didn't feel compelled to change tubes. I preferred the SV to a CJ PV12 and a Audible Illusions mod3A...go figure. Those who like their pre less tubey sounding probably won't like the SV. I buy tube gear that sounds like tubes.Companys like Sonic Research Frontiers, BAT, and AR sound more solid state then tube to me. SV gives you a 30 day trial, and B stock (cosmetic) is only $595.00. It worked great with both SS and tube ampsand if you have a turntable it may be the ultimate no brainer. I don't own this anymore (I'm a charter member of the component of the month club) but a while back I almost bought one, but got a swinging deal on a CJ PV5. If you buy used I don't see how you could do better then a PV5. Even CJs latest offerings are less romantic sounding then their older models. Give me the romance! Show me the love.

Blue Circle BC21 - almost has no other competition at that price range. Utterly musical and open with great naturalness but not too colored. Build quality is superb - no circuit boards, all point-to-point wiring w/Cardas wire, (2) 6sn7's, solid Cherry Knobs & feet, high quality output/input jacks (rca). Watch how quickly a used one, if you can find a used one, gets snatched up. Good stuff, but if you need a phono stage you will have to get a seperate phono unit. Had good sound with the Classe' 47.5 pre also, but after I heard the BC21 sold it :) Good luck.

Chris

I've seen your name before...I believe you advised me on tubes for a Sigma dac once. Anyway, I'll look into the Sound Valves pre. What do you think about Rogue pre amps?