E530 : if you like rack preamps...its worth a look

The ENGL E530 is perhaps the ONLY tube driven 1U preamp you can still purchase new. there are small boutique manufactures doing other things, there is lots of activity in the digital world and LOTS to consider in the 2nd hand market, but if you want big name, new, tube drive, affordable rack preamp... this is the one.

The quality is EXCELLENT and the features are good (perhaps the inclusion of MIDI would help but regardless you can remote midi switch via TRS from another device). the inclusion of a small 1W power amp and basic speaker simulation output is very good.

The sound is ENGL. This is great if you want ENGL but for me perhaps lacked the saturation of other (no longer available preamps). its a great sound but just not 100% my sound.

Stating that - if you want a great featured, new, very well built 1U tube preamp, you should consider the E530