In the lower price arena I have owned the Nighthawk, Parks Audio Budgie, and Vista Audio.
I prefer the Parks and Vista to the Nighthawk. More musical, less analytical. Both are right at your budget, and IMO both perform way beyond their price points.
FWIW, my local audio buddies who also heard all three had the same preferences.
http://parksaudiollc.com/budgiepreamp.html
http://vista-audio.com/products.htm
I prefer the Parks and Vista to the Nighthawk. More musical, less analytical. Both are right at your budget, and IMO both perform way beyond their price points.
FWIW, my local audio buddies who also heard all three had the same preferences.
http://parksaudiollc.com/budgiepreamp.html
http://vista-audio.com/products.htm