Used.
I bought an Audio Research Sp-15 for $1,500. here a few years ago. (It is a two chassis pre new was $6,000.
It is solid state with a nice (3) tubed phono stage.
Another preamp i bought used off Agon was a VAC Standard with remote for $1,500. New retail is $4,000. That is a four tube preamp.
Both were excellent deals for the price used/new.
So from my experience i would say some pretty great deals are out there on tube preamps.
Just have to watch the ads, and be ready to buy instaantly.
Low priced stuff is bought up within hours of being posted.
For example I listed an Audio Research Sp-10 for sale, working but needing new tubes, at a reduced price compared to the going prices. I had four good offers to buy within twenty minutes of posting, plus all sorts of question messages.. and that was at 7AM...
So basically to find a good deal on a great preamp, you need to watch the listings, and know what is what.
I would suggest researching the old tube preamps you are interested in.
Audio Research, Conrad Johnson, and others you feel are good.
So then you KNOW a few models, what they cost new, how old, and the going used prices. Then just watch. And be willing to grab one of a group that meet your desires.
You can get a great preamp for way less.
I knew nothing about the VAC Standard before buying. I had to look up reviews and decide in minutes if i wanted to buy it. Glad I did.
I bought an Audio Research Sp-15 for $1,500. here a few years ago. (It is a two chassis pre new was $6,000.
It is solid state with a nice (3) tubed phono stage.
Another preamp i bought used off Agon was a VAC Standard with remote for $1,500. New retail is $4,000. That is a four tube preamp.
Both were excellent deals for the price used/new.
So from my experience i would say some pretty great deals are out there on tube preamps.
Just have to watch the ads, and be ready to buy instaantly.
Low priced stuff is bought up within hours of being posted.
For example I listed an Audio Research Sp-10 for sale, working but needing new tubes, at a reduced price compared to the going prices. I had four good offers to buy within twenty minutes of posting, plus all sorts of question messages.. and that was at 7AM...
So basically to find a good deal on a great preamp, you need to watch the listings, and know what is what.
I would suggest researching the old tube preamps you are interested in.
Audio Research, Conrad Johnson, and others you feel are good.
So then you KNOW a few models, what they cost new, how old, and the going used prices. Then just watch. And be willing to grab one of a group that meet your desires.
You can get a great preamp for way less.
I knew nothing about the VAC Standard before buying. I had to look up reviews and decide in minutes if i wanted to buy it. Glad I did.