best pre -amp under 4000$

DODD AUDIO - battery powered/tube pre.
Supratek
Audio Analogue Bellini preamplifier - Battery power supply - $3,500 retail - Sell $2,800 from Response Audio
Modwright 36.5

All great preamps

I am sure others can recommend other great choices.
These are my personal favorites within your budget new or used.

RWA Isabella is great but the DAC option is a must to get the best bang for the buck. That option would put that preamp/DAC out of your price range tho. It must be heard to really appreciate the innovative approach and sound qualities. It is possible with 30-days money back guaranty.

Good luck on your quest

Mariusz

Coda

The question is flawed.

Match an amplifier, not a preamplifier to speakers. Once you find the proper
amplifier/speaker match, then you match a preamplifier to the amplifier.

Since according to your system thread you have not yet settled on an
amplifier, your preamplifier search is premature.

Attempting to match a preamplifier to speakers is a fruitless waste of time.

Whats your amp for now?Room size?Music loudness/genre preference?Headbanger,Classical,Jazz or a combo of all types.Extremely,dangerously flawed according to Tvad which is my position also.Give us 25 push-ups and re-state the question.Make that 50.......cheers,Bob

OK, maybe I was a little harsh. Thanks to Usblues for using his good humor to set things straight.

Still, selecting a preamp before settling on an amplifier is like going to step C before completing step B. Pour the foundation before you put up the walls...