Best Preamp For $1200 Used

Buy an Adcom GFP-750 ($750 or so used)and quit while you're ahead--you can spend much much more--and actually get worse performance. I also liked the Krell KAV-250p if you want a more upscale name, and those can be had for $1200 used. If you need tubes to add a bit of euphony and take the edge off CD, the Rogue Audio Ninety-nine preamp is nice for the price (very good bass & dynamics and a sweet plausible sonic portrait) and should be in your price range used. Happy Hunting, Frank

The Conrad Johnson PV10 is full function tube and is a giant killer, it retails for around $1200 - you can get on this site for about half that. It's sound is definetly on the tube side; warm, full on the bottom end and extended and smooth on the top end. It's addicting. Good luck with your choice.

The advice so far is pretty good. At the $1200 range, you have several choices, and two of them are Adcom: 1. Adcom GFP-750 - an outstanding preamp at retail price of $1250, or around $900 used. 2. Adcom GTP-750 pre/pro, which can be gotten used for around $1300. This unit is all-digital and has Dolby Digital, DTS, and Pro-Logic built in, plus other DSP features. Has 3 digital and 6 analog inputs. 3. Bryston BP-20 or BP-25. Bryston builds great gear, and all their stuff has a 20-year warranty. You couldn't go far wrong with any of these units.