Best preamp for 2k-3k

The Lamm LL2 Deluxe bested the Calypso in my system, but the Calypso is much more user friendly since it has a remote and display. Although I thought the Lamm clearly sounded better (so I sold my Calypso) the Calypso did sound good...it just didn't have the ability to bring me into the music like the Lamm. Now that the LL2.1 Deluxe is released, the former model LL2 Deluxe is a steal on the used market since the design, components, and sonics are the same, with the main differences being knob shape, selectable gain, and remote trigger feature. A used CAT SL-1 Ultimate MkII would be a very good choice and IMO equivalent to the Lamm, although a different sounding presentation. The Lector Zoe was also fun and sounded good. Several TEAD Vibe with Pulse preamps have been listed lately and, for solid state, it is the best I have heard although a bit "hair shirt" in the absence of features. Make sure you get the Lithos 7 model. The Lithos 6 model is still very nice sounding for solid state, but is worth much less on the used market - and you would need to ship it to England if you want to upgrade to Lithos 7. It is my experience that the jump from the Lithos 6 to Lithos 7 Vibe was much greater sonically than from the original two-piece Pulse to the "breadbox" style Pulse II. However, THE PULSE POWER SUPPLY IS MANDATORY if you want to hear what this preamp is capable of.

I love my Cary Audio SLP98P, it's one of the few items I don't look at switching out. I have one of the "hot rodded" F-1 versions that Cary only sells through Upscale Audio, upgraded caps, direct coupled, HT passthrough, and more. Sound is fantastic, deep soundstage, excellent highs, and the dreamy midrange people love from tube pre's. I'm a big fan. I change out gear all of the time, but I've had this preamp 3 yrs, and don't plan on looking at any other pre in the near future. In fact, I like the sound so much I bought a Cary F-1 integrated to match with some Klipsch speakers in a second system.

Good luck.

My preamp search ended when I got a Musical Fidelity kW hybrid linestage from Walter at Underwood HiFi. Combined the best characteristics of active and passive pres that I'd tried in my system and did so much more to improve the sound. You can check out the Stereophile review of it, which also includes bench measurements from John Atkinson. I believe there is one for sale now (no affiliation with seller).

Cary SLP98 (P)

If you have enjoyed your AR LS2, be sure to audition the LS26.