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Best Preamp New or Used up to $3,000 ??

Okay I am listening. The models I am looking at are:
Audible Illusions L3 .$2,000+
Aesthetic Calypso.$2,000+.
Prima Luna Dialogue $2,200
EAR 834L.$1,700.
Benchmark LA4 (New) $2,600.
McIntosh 2500.$4,000 (Over budget but has tone controls and Phono stage)
Other Equipment: Cary MK 120-s, Oppo 205, Older Tannoys FSMs-very efficient.
Music I enjoy: Vocals, 70 db, Near field position.
So if you have owned any of the above, please share your experience.
I am attracted to these brands as they seem to place value on things related to musicality.
Separate quality Power supply, Dual Mono setup, Quality components. Remotes (except EAR)
So what am I not valuing that I should be?
Thanks in advance.

128x128firstnot
keithtexas
226 posts
 

Some others to consider depending on your requirements and preferences:

Baekert Labs Rumba

Don Sachs SP14

De Havilland Ultraverve

jburidan
672 posts
 
If you don't use vinyl, the Cary SLP05 is divine, and sometimes can be had used in your price range.
cisgo
18 posts
 
If you don't use vinyl, try the Oppo direct.
dhwdallastexas's avatar
dhwdallastexas
7 posts
 
Yamaha just put out the new CX-A5200 for about $2,500.00 and you can still get the CX-A5100 for around $1,900.00. 
rhansen162's avatar
rhansen162
4 posts
 
If you search hard you can find the Mcintosh C50 lightly used (or NOS) at your price point, it has adjustable load MC (and MM) phono and tone controls.  Highly recommended.

there is also a Mcintosh C200 on enay in your price range, for phono stage use only, c100/200 are the bees knees and beat out many other phono preamps 2-3x’s their original retail price!
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