Sleeper preamps: $500 new/used

I don't care much for the PV10 although I like a lot of other CJ equipment. I think the McIntosh C712 is a much more enjoyable preamp. For about $600, the C712 is flat-out excellent. I did head-to-head comparisons with PV10, ARC LS3b, and Classe CP50. The Classe was definately the best but it is around $1000, the C712 was second, then PV10, then LS3b. IMO and in my system. Arthur

any thoughts on the NAIM nac 42?

NAC 42, due to the DIN connectors, and required external power supply(SNAPS or Hi-Cap), the old Naim preamps are probably more difficult to use with other brands of amps. They don't have their own internal power supply, so you must have the outboard supply(or use a Naim amp).

Also the phono boards are known as "N"(MM) or "S"(MC) and are little cards you can swap out. If the preamp is listed as a NAC42S, then it has the "S" cards.

They would be the obvious choice if you plan to use an older Naim amp, like a NAP 250,160, or 110.

Phono section "S" has high overload margins, and handles low output MC cartridges.

I had a Naim NAC 42S with Hi-Cap supply for about 11 years, along with a Naim amp.
Not bad for SS, but my modded MFA Magus C murders it, IMO.
You know, the whole tubes vs SS thing.

Forte model 2. This pre gave me a shock when it left a Bryston BP25 way behind in almost every respect.

It has an excellent phono section. Used price for a nice unit is approx $300-450.

Excellent buy.

Mission 776

Listened to a lot of pre's, tube and SS, that cost as much as $6000 new and haven't found a better one yet.