Preamp recommendations for under $600.00

I would recommend a used Conrad Johnson also per Mofimadness. You know it will match your amp, and they sound spectacular!

Instead of buying an old preamp, or someone else's problems, why not get really involved and purchase a simple kit?

Bottlehead's new directly heated triode kit the Smash, or if you prefer a conventional looking preamp the Transcendent Sound Grounded Grid should be equally engaging.

Thank you Viridian. Interesting idea. How many hours of assembly does the Smash (or the TSGG) take, and does one have to be a very skilled with the solder gun?

The TSGG is built with circuit boards and so is somewhat easier to assemble, IMHO. It also uses the more common tube, the 12AU7, which ofers more opportunities for tube rolling. For a newbie, working slowly and deliberately, I would think four to six hours for either kit would be about right. But that is just a guess.

There are several excellent online tutorials for how to solder. Lots of us do it. It does involve a degree of manual dexterity, but most problems that you might create are pretty fixable, and you will have the pride in ownership of having made something.

Both manufacturers have excellent forums to help if you get off of the track and you can always register and ask the questions directly of the manufacturers and end users there.

Get an Acurus L10 or R11. These are known as good quality pres that have good mil spec components and can be upgraded easily and with great return on investment. Mine cost me $250 used. Do a Google search and you will find reviews on them and that they are popular among budget audio lovers.