Well I've tried quite a few over the years. If you can find a good used CAT preamp in your price budget, I seriously doubt you'll be dissapointed...especially if you consder ther tube alternatives. These tube pre's seem to work well with either solid state or tube amps as well.
Another highly touted pre, which you can find at around $1300-1100 range used, are the Audible Illusions mod 3a. These pre's are all Class A rated, very high end performance, etc However the Audible seems to do best with tube amps for impedance matching.
I've used/owned Audio Research LS16's, Sonic Frontiers Line 1/L-2, etc, Pass Labs pre's, and others as well.
However, the CAT's are my personal fav's. My MKIII, which has served me well, is simply world class.
Good luck
Another highly touted pre, which you can find at around $1300-1100 range used, are the Audible Illusions mod 3a. These pre's are all Class A rated, very high end performance, etc However the Audible seems to do best with tube amps for impedance matching.
I've used/owned Audio Research LS16's, Sonic Frontiers Line 1/L-2, etc, Pass Labs pre's, and others as well.
However, the CAT's are my personal fav's. My MKIII, which has served me well, is simply world class.
Good luck