To give you something to compare the DeHavilland Mercury 2 below to, here is the Lamm LL2 Deluxe tube preamp priced competitively at $4690. Here's what Stereophile has to say about Lamm's entry in the price range:

"In relative terms, I've heard more expensive preamps than this, but I've never heard one that performs better; in absolute terms, judged for its musicality, the quality of its parts and construction, and its sheer design ingenuity, the Lamm LL2 is worth every penny they're asking for it."

Check out the review for what makes this amp tick. As with the DeHavilland, it's surprising so much advancement can be made with tube technology that has been around for decades now.

Lamm LL2 Tube Preamp Review [Stereophile]
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