Preamp recommendations up to $2000

Tvad,

When will you get the Juicy Music?

I know i said I was leaning toward tubes, but does anyone have any experience with the Blue Circle BC 103 or CJ Premier 18LS? Thanks.

Juicy Music Peach was received today and installed. Really fun preamp! Very quiet.

It has two output impedance settings: SuperLo Z (90 ohms) for use with low input impedance amps (typically SS), and HiZ (3500 ohms) for use with typical tube amps. I find myself using SuperLo Z with my Pass Labs amps that have fairly low input impedance specs.

The HiZ mode reminds me of triode mode on an amp that has both triode and pentode modes; it has a wide image with lots of air and a touch of softness. The SuperLo Z mode would be analogous to pentode mode: a bit more punch, and a slightly deeper yet narrower image. I can definitely see where the HiZ mode could be preferable in a system with tube amps because of the very natural presentation of the music.

Lots of toe tapping going on here at Chez Tvad.

If you could stretch your budget about $400, an Aesthetix Calpso used would be really nice.

Tvad,

The switchable output impedance settings is intriguing to me.

How is the detail and imaging accuracy with each?

Does it have a phono pre-amp built in that can take a low out MC cart?

Also, how many outputs does it provide? Can it support a processor and output for recording concurrently?