choice of pre amp

Spend a little time reading the Supratek and/or Audio Horizons threads. These threads are long and enthusiastic for a good reason, and you can get either in your price range. Audio Horizons offers a thirty day audition, and you can order the preamp to your own preferences--won't cost you a thing but the return shipping to try it out. Most folks don't send them back.

Good luck.

Check Space Tech Lab. They are in Vancouver. For Under 2000$, one of the Space Tech Lab models would put to shame the preamp you listed.

The have models that cost up to $6,000.

Have a look at their website and don't hesitate to contact Albert, the owner. The nicest guy I ever dealt with in this business.

2nd for........................S*U*P*R*A*T*E*K...........................

My Calypso replaced a CJ Premier 17LS2 (the model with teflon caps) and I couldn't be happier. The CJ was a fine preamp but the Calypso is a revelation. I frankly bought it because it offered polarity switching via the remote (I was tired of switching speaker cables), but that proved to be just icing on the cake. Dave

McIntosh C220