Budget Preamps for Atmaspheres?

You should be looking for a true balanced pre-amp, such as an ARC LS3B. I picked up an Audio Experience Balanced line stage (circa $1000, new) for about $600 used (less than one year old), for my M60's. It uses TWO volume controls, however, one for each channel, which makes for a bit of a hassle, especially in a darkened room. I just LOVE the sound, though. You get to swap tubes if you like (2-12AT7's and 2-12AU7's) to experiment a bit and the price is very reasonable considering the excellant build quality and sound level achieved. Of course, if you can afford it, Atma-Sphere also makes some absolutely fantastic preamps too. Make sure that your looking at fully balanced designs, whatever you should choose. Happy Listening.

Atma-sphere ONLY preamp with any Atma-sphere amp...and run balanced I/C's. 'Nuff sais :-)

Atma-Sphere or Aesthetix would be nice. I agree about using a fully balanced architecture in the pre regardless with the Atma’s…
Happy Listening!

I appreciate the responses, but my problem is that there is no way i can afford to buy an atmasphere and an expensive preamp, so atmasphere preamps and aesthetix are out of the question. I've never used a preamp, so I'm not quite sure how great an effect they can have on the overall sound, but would it be entirely ridiculous to use a cheap Chinese made preamp, like a Dared, or radii, used cayin, etc. or some other budget preamp with a high quality piece like the Atmaspheres? I don't think I would want to spend much more than $600-$700, and really the goal would be to spend as little as possible. Are there any preamps in this price range that show up regularly on Audiogon that would be able to allow the Atmaspheres to show their stuff?

Are many preamps not fully balanced? Sorry, I'm a complete no-nothing when it comes to the technical side of preamps.

Because I own one and because i know it would fit your budget and it has balanced outputs for your amp and a Cd player read the reviews on the Nelson Pass mosfet design Adcom GTP 750. It's been a Stereophile Budget reference for quite a few years and you see them all the time on here and Ebay.
Trust your ears.