Tube preamp with the "most" for 1k used, 2k new?

Manley Shrimp or Modwright SWL 9.0SE Signature or DeHavilland Untraverve?

Must be also tonally accurate, extended and transparent.

Van Alstine has a used 4Si on his web site for around $450,not the last word in depth but with good 12AX7's in line stage(Orange Globe Amperex a treat)a very musical pre
with a clear,sweet and accurate sound.
Also decent headphone and phono amps.

Must be also tonally accurate, extended and transparent.
Pmboyd

Let's put it this way, if I substitute the Shrimp in place of the VAC Renaissance, I still enjoy the music. I am not sitting there thinking that the sound sucks in comparison to the VAC.

I cite this as a straight drop-in without changing cables other than XLR to RCA which I have both in the same model. So, no other system alterations whatsoever necessary when switching to the Shrimp.

The Shrimp has less low end heft but as a trade-off, sounds punchier in the bass. It is also not as extended at the top as the VAC. Consequently, some of the recorded ambience is not as completely separated from the notes played as heard through the VAC. But, there is still a certain puppy-like quality to the Shrimp that just makes it fun to listen to. The lack of remote control is a bit of a pain but the Shrimp has such a nice big smooth operating volume knob that it's a pleasure to get up, go over and give it a turn. The volume control is not stepped either which I hate.

I have no problems with hiss or hum which I also hate.

I much preferred the Shrimp to Audio Research SP16 or LS15.

Pmboyd,

From your description, tonally accurate and extended with a bias toward the warm side of nuetral, I think you would like the VTL 2.5 tubed preamp. It comes with a remote and is within your price range if you don't need the phono stage. I was on the same search a few yrs ago and found the answer with the VTL and NOS Mullards. Hope this helps.