Budget Preamps for Atmaspheres?

Jeffrey- I would caution you on the Atmas running single-ended. I had a buzz I could not get rid of (Ralph calls for a shorting pin in the XLRs if you run single-ended, but it was not a complete solution for me), but more importantly, they sound better through the XLR input even from my VAC pre, which I am told is only a pseudo-balanced output.

Mpignone, Please except my apology for having a complete brain fade and suggesting those very expensive preamps. I read your question... walked away to attend to something and then came back and was completely off point.

I too would suggest the Ear/Yoshino 834L, or I would offer a Juicy Merlin, Peach, Extreme, Blueberry (don't be put off by the names), PrimaLuna Prologue 5. Just to name a few.

Happy Listening!

Correction I meant PrimaLuna Prologue 3.

Just thought of a new one...Eastern Electric MiniMax Preamplifier sound good with vintage tubes.

If you absolutely want a balanced line stage, the BAT VK3 is an excellent choice....and sometimes falls around $1k or so. Otherwise I would give serious consideration to the CJ models suggested by Rushton. Finding something under $1k because you maxed out your budget on the Atma amp will be difficult. And what speakers do you have? The Atma amps might not be a good choice at all here.

For tube models, various Counterpoints or Melos or even ARC LS7 would get my vote. If you were willing to go solid state at the start, something like the McCormack Line Drive would be a great value.

Mcfarland: The first truly balanced line stage from ARC was the LS5. The LS1, LS2, LS3 and SP15 may have had XLR connectors but they went through conversion circuits to obtain two phases....and what's the point of all that nonsense!