Best value in pre-owned preamps right now?

+1 for the Modwright SWL 9.0 suggestion. I've tried (multiple times) to remove the analog preamp from my system, but always come back to them. It's a personal preference, having a standalone preamp in the signal chain happens to be mine - YMMV.

I acquired a Modwright a few months ago and find it to be wonderful - as good or better than all other preamps I've owned (up to $5k). I rolled in a pair or Amperex Pinched 7119's and absolutely love it.

HK fan,

You could select one of these great suggestions, spend a fair amount of your hard earned money, hook it up to your system and hate it.

Without knowing what your audio preferences are and your system, making a suggestion is of little benefit.

Another bid for Modwright, though I use the 36.5. I also auditioned the cheaper 100 model, which was also excellent. A little more "tube like", that is some warm colouration, but very good. I compared the 36.5 with an ARC Ref 3 pre, which is more expensive and I preferred the Modwright.

Before the Modwright, I was using and in fact, still have, an excellent DIY built clone of the Music First Audio Baby reference. Others will disagree, but having tried several others, I think it is one of the best passive Pres around. I definitely prefer the Modwright, which is different in a way I prefer,rather than better, than the passive

I bought a Allnic L4000 that was upgraded to a L3000 mk2 and have never been happier; if you see one for sale you can't go wrong.

"What is your bang for the buck king right now?"

I don't think this is the best way to go about it. Regardless of how good the deal is on a preamp, you still need to like how it sounds, and how well it matches with your other components.