$8000 budget on Pre-amp

How about a TRON Seven - either line-stage or the pre-amp with on board phono? Great boutique British tube pre-amp with impeccable build and excellent SQ.

The top VAC preamps can be had for around $8K used, without the built-in phono stage. I love my Phi Beta.

I also think the Music First passive drubin mentions is phenomenal--liquid, detailed, dynamic, harmonically full--really does it all. A comparison to my VAC was a toss up in my system, and the MF is quite a bit less money--with no tubes to futz with. Not sure how it would mate with Pass amps but it was outstanding with Bryston 28B-SST2.

I'm a big Ayre fan....(totally Ayred out). Excellent customer service, battleship construction, and fabulous sound. Of coarse, all components have to be tried in your system for interaction pluses and minuses.....what fun

I own same amps with the Music Culture mc-601 pre (former dsigner of MBL). This pre smoked the xp-20 and some others. This one will leave you with pletny of change from $8k budget.

Hi Bigiron,

I wonder if you had a chance trying Ayres KX-5 preamp?

Have you ended your quest for the best preamp?
If yes which on is your final choice?

Thanks.

Kris