Tube Pre.

[basite]

Hi hiro,
this one doesn't have balanced in or outputs, but it's still a very good one to consider:
http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls....ube&1185208578

fits nicely in your budget, and should sound fantastic

I'll search some more, but I'm working on my review(s) now so...

Good luck,
Bert.

[Bernd]

Good Call Bert. The Shrimp is a very fine pre.

Hiro, why do you want balanced in and out? I found that this is only really benifical on very long cable runs. Also quiet often, the cuircuit isn't even proper balanced, despite the available facility.
Again not balanced, but take a look at the Rogue Audio Magnum 66. Also Cary do some very fine sounding kit.The BAT you mentioned should be good too.
Not tube, but tube like sound and balanced with it, is the Electrocompaniet EC-4.7.

I will keep looking.

Peace

[Feanor]

Good Call Bert. The Shrimp is a very fine pre.

Hiro, why do you want balanced in and out? I found that this is only really benifical on very long cable runs. Also quiet often, the cuircuit isn't even proper balanced, despite the available facility.
Again not balanced, but take a look at the Rogue Audio Magnum 66. Also Cary do some very fine sounding kit.The BAT you mentioned should be good too.
Not tube, but tube like sound and balanced with it, is the Electrocompaniet EC-4.7.

I will keep looking.

Peace

It's true, of course, that fully balanced is better for long runs since rejects noise being added to the signal. But there is additional advantage if you are driving a fully balance power amp. For example, my Monarchy SM-70 Pros work in fully balanced mode (when used as a monoblock) and are significantly more dynamic when driven by a fully balanced input.

The Sonic Frontiers LINE 1 is the bargain balanced tube pre at under US$1000. Mine sounds great now that I've found tubes what work well with it. On the other hand with a $1800 I would definitely consider BAT or ARC, viz. the VK-3i and LS16 MkII