Best tube pre under 1500?

I had mine modified by Rogue to the Magnum version ($250) and switched the stock 12AU7 linestage tubes for E80CCs. Outstanding combination with great transparency, excellent dynamics, wonderful bass and a top notch midrange. Some excellent preamps do certain things real well. This does everything extremely well.

The Anthem pre2L is a lot of bang for the buck. Well built, easy tube rolling,remote,and a headphone jack for those late night sessions. Currently Jeffs Sounds Values has a special going, so you mifgt save a buck or two. Good luck!

A Mint Used Conrad Johsnon Premier 14 goes for around $ 1,750-2,000.00 . A magical Piece!

If you want phono built in try the Conrad Johnson PV-9a. Probably the best CJ phono ever is a non Premier preamp. Sell for $850 to $1000 used.

For another $0.02, I heartily recommend the Rogue 99. Used on Audiogon (if you can find one), can be had for approximately $1,300 to $1,500. After several comparison tests (using a McCormack DNA 225 SS amp into Soliloquy 6.3 speakers) the only thing we (brother and I) found that could beat it (and then only slightly) was an Air Tight point to point wired pre that retailed for over $4,000, with no remote. Needless to say, I am very, very pleased with the all around sound of the Rogue. Just one man's opinion, but a very happy one with this particular piece.