Suggestions? Tubed linestage pre-amp??


Budget <$3500. Would prefer new but not ruling out newer used. Do not need a phono stage or DAC, so linestage (tubed not ss) - but don't want passive...need some gain.

Just starting to put together a short list. Looking to upgrade the Consonance Reference 50 pre I'm using. Hoping to find dealers allowing in-home audition or money back trial period.

On the list so far:
Doge 8 SCR
Eastern Electric Minimax
PrimaLuna Dialogue Premium

Checked past threads to see if this might have been covered. Couldn't find it. If there's something relatively current I missed, do please point me to it.

Thanks in advance for your help.
128x128ghosthouse
If you can stretch a little I would suggest the Herron VTSP-3A. It would appear to meet your criteria and is an exceptional product. I moved through a number of line stages over the past several years and the Herron is by far the best--it ended my search. I wrote a lengthy review on this site which describes what I love about it which you can search for or click the link to it on the Herron site. Quiet, musically literate, sensible features, amazing build quality, even handed and neutral--just gets out of the way and lets you enjoy the music. Keith Herron offers incredible support for his customers and does have a trial purchase option if you have no local dealer. I've owned a few of the line stages suggested on this thread--in my system the Herron was vastly superior.
Lamm LL2 Deluxe, the older version, which is the same internally as the newer more expensive LL2.1 version, except the newer version has a 15dB gain reduction feature, if needed. Should be available used in the $2,800 TO $3,200 range. Extremely reliable and well-built. Very musical.
Lots of good choices mentioned so far. The DeHavilland Ultraverve's not been mentioned however. It's probably gotten more positive professional reviews than any other tubed line stage at this price point.
Thanks Photon and Mitch...
Photon - actually MattMiller did recommend the Dehavilland back on 8/11. Good to hear another vote for it, however.
My vote...build your own. You can build a preamp that is as good as or better than anything commercially available, because you can build it exactly how you want it to be, using top-notch components, and you don't have to worry about the commercial aspects that manufacturers fret over.

Use a directly heated triode tube like a 26, with DC regulated filaments...heavenly sounding.

An added benefit is the satisfaction of listening to music through your own creation. Sure there's a learning curve, but that's part of the fun! With the DIY audio sites around these days anyone (and I mean anyone) can learn rather quickly how to build tube gear, for not a lot of money (unless you want to it be!). What's harder is making it good sounding AND good looking, but that comes with time, too.

Just my 2 cents.