Tubed Pre to mate with W4S monos 1K budget

The AE-3 from AES is super IMHO. The in DJH edition runs in your price range or even less new (I have seen them at Upscale Audio). It uses 6SN7s primarily which allow for a great deal of experimentation with many around to roll. Got mine used here for very little in plain original guise, then had it upgraded.

A VTL 2.5 is one I owned around $800-$850 used. It was quiet and a very good and solid preamp; worked well with my W4S ST-1000.

Bwp,

I own the Consonance Cyber 222 preamp and I've been very pleased with it. 4 6SN7s in an SRPP layout, tube rectified, Auricaps, external power supply, very nice build quality. Tube rolling makes a big difference with the Cyber so you can alter the sound to your taste; I've just started experimenting there. The only caution is the relatively high gain (20 dB) and the remote, which works but is a little quirky. It appears the gain of all the W4S monos is 27 dB, so you'd want to watch your overall gain if you have efficient speakers. Feel free to email me if you have more questions.

David

Thanks David, I may go that route if I see one come up. I am running Magnepan 1.6qr, not too efficient so the gain should be OK. I also stumbled across a Modwright 9.0SE that looks like it might fit the bill.