High end tube Preamp under $4k used that competes

Hello Al and Foster,

In my view in a public forum such as Audiogon any and all subjective opinion should not be allowed by a manufacture when commenting about their own products, "especially" when comparing it subjectively to another specific product. To me, this clearly stepped over that line. IMO I also see the intent of the post as a way to try and drum up immediate or future business for the manufacturer.

Foster, whatever you decide good luck in your preamp search,

best,
Tom

I guess I am a homey, but a Sonic Frontiers Line 3 with Chris Johnson's SE+ mod represents IMHO 90 - 95% of what's out there, allowing for personal tastes.

Buy a stock Line 3 for $2,200 or less on Audiogon, send it to Chris for a SE+ mod (with Teflon V-Caps = $1,700) and you have a fully-balanced, reference tube line stage for about $4,000 with SE and XLR ins (four each) and dual RCA and XLR outs - separate, full chassis PS, too.

I have seen Line 3s WITH the SE+ mod for a bit north of $3,000.

Flyfish thanks for the suggestion. However, I've been the route of having modifications done before, and if or when the time comes to sell the modified gear, you'll lose your shirt on the funds invested in the modification, and end up selling for what a stock unit would sell for.

At this point, with no ability to audition, I'm torn between the BAT VK51-SE and the Cary SLP-05.

Foster, you are right about losing your shirt when selling a modded unit IF you paid to have the original mod done. If you buy it on the used market, you can get a steal, IMHO. I have a CDP that Chris did a $3K mod on and it sounds incredible. I sold a CDP that cost me twice as much when I heard this one. I paid about $600 more than a used stock version was selling for at the time. So the gent who had the mod performed lost about $2.5K, but I got a great sounding CDP for a great price. Chris Johnson does fabulous work.

As for your decision, get the SLP-05. You know you've been waiting for someone to tell you that, so go ahead and do it. Most here probably mistook your original post, as I did, and thought you were looking for other recommendations. It's obvious to me now that you have your heart set on the SLP-05, so just go get one.

Cheers,
John

You could probably snag a used VAC Ren MK2 line stage only for at or just above $4K. Its one of the best I've ever heard, but I will admit I've never heard the Cary or the Atma in a system I'm familiar with.