Need budget, used tube preamp to go with Bel Canto


Hi, Gang!

I am moving up to separates from a Unison Unico integrated amp. I want to see what my Ohm Walsh 100-S3 speakers will sound like with more power. I picked up a Bel Canto S300 (150 W into 8 ohms) here on Audiogon. Now I need a preamp. I'm pretty much sold on getting a tube preamp, but my budget is only $700 max this time. So a used preamp is obviously the way to go. I don't need a phono stage because I have an outboard unit (a Bottlehead Seduction that I built.)

What suggestions do you have for a relatively inexpensive used tube preamp that will mate well with the S300?

And what do you think of using a Peachtree Decco as a preamp? My CD player (Music Hall CD 25.2) has digital out, so I could use the digital in on the Decco for that, and use the analog inputs for my phono stage and tuner.

Thanks in advance for your wisdom!
rebbi
Hmmmm... I hope that doesnt' mean I'm screwed and can't use a tube preamp! I'll check with Bel Canto.
Ended up with a Manley Shrimp tube preamp which I got at a good price here. It has an output impedance of only 50 ohms, so it'll drive the Bel Canto just fine. I'll report back when it's all hooked together. Thanks for the advice, y'all.
I've owned CJ amps and Pre's.PV series is cheap built is noisy.Spend on better series and they are winners and since you've bought this is for others.I would have suggested an Audible Illusions is well designed and didn't changed for years and was a wildly popular as 3A and 3 and 3B were good as well.But Manley is good stuff.Post what you think.
Cheers
Chazz
Chazzbo,

Yes, I'll report back. Power amp arrived today and preamp should be here within a week or so.
Report: the Manley Shrimp sounds fantastic with the BC S300! Open, airy and dimensional. Recommend this combo highly! :-)