best bang for the buck tube preamp?

I have the Bottlehead Foreplay II, not the newest edition, and it is a great little pre for the money. However, for a few hundred bucks more, I would strongly urge you to consider the Mapletree Audio Ultra 4A or the Triplex. What you will get will be better overall resolution and tonality and I think you will be happier in the long run. At the time I was looking for an upgrade for my Foreplay (upgrade fever), I took a risk with Mapletree and have not a single regret or ever felt to need to look elsewhere ever since. Since then, I have convinced a couple of other devout audiophiles to give it a try. Each and everyone has found the same results I did, a warm, but resolving, engaging and musical preamp. Mapletree Audio is an often overlooked company that really deserves more attention. Check out their website at mapletreeaudio.com and take a look at what they have to offer. The designer and operator of the company, Lloyd Peppard, is a great guy who stands behind his products 110% and can answer any questions you have. You should also check out the Mapletree Audio user forum on Audiocircle.com. In my opinion, the MAD products are the best bang for the buck in audio today.

consider the zbox from decware.

Hi Hartwerger

I had a look at the website – the Mapletree stuff look great.

Do the kits look like what is on the web page? I need a ‘project’ and wanted to build another pre. I like Bottlehead gear, but I am not fond of their aesthetics. Also the cable going in on the top is just a PITA.

Thanks
Paul

Hartweger, great suggestion on the Mapletree audio. And they are in Canada! Don't know how that escaped me....

I already like the red ones, although I think the red clashes with the red of my Abbys ;)

Rene

Hey Pauly: You should call or email Lloyd Peppard of MAD for info on the kits. I have the Ultra 4A which doesn't come in the kit form. A good friend recenty built the Triplex and it pretty much looked like the one on the website with a few changes of his own. He loves the triplex and that's the direction I would take if I was doing it all over again as you get the choice of the different circuits. I still have my Foreplay and it has a special place in my heart, but I think you would be happier with any of the Mapletree products for the long haul. Also, my friend that built the Triplex also had previously built a Foreplay. I am certain he would tell you the same as I am. In addition, he thought the Triplex was easier to build as there was more room to move around when soldering all those joints. The Foreplay box is still a little cramped for the ole soldering gun. Good luck with whatever you choose. Let us know how things turn out.