Look at the Linear Tube MicroZOTL2 used as a preamp (it is also a headphone amp.) I just took home a demo and it is amazing. It is the David Berning design. The tonality and imaging is amazing. It compares favorably to preamps above your budget level and it is under 2k!
I rolled Tung sol round plates in it and it really sang. My wife is a professional musician and she even noticed. Read Terry London's review because it is spot on. The Doge is great for the price but this is even better. The Linear Tube amps are great also but microZOTL used as a preamp is amazing! Mine is on order and I hated to give back my demo!
It is my opinion that audio companies are seeing the writing on the wall and putting their best designs into headphone gear because of younger generations preferences. There is another headphone amp where it's preamp section sounds better than their 18k statement preamp. The statement is being updated for this reason. Good luck on your search!
I rolled Tung sol round plates in it and it really sang. My wife is a professional musician and she even noticed. Read Terry London's review because it is spot on. The Doge is great for the price but this is even better. The Linear Tube amps are great also but microZOTL used as a preamp is amazing! Mine is on order and I hated to give back my demo!
It is my opinion that audio companies are seeing the writing on the wall and putting their best designs into headphone gear because of younger generations preferences. There is another headphone amp where it's preamp section sounds better than their 18k statement preamp. The statement is being updated for this reason. Good luck on your search!