Hey Own-Reee,
Check out this used one on Audiogon:
http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?preatube&1107126082">Audio Experience A1 $875 shipped.
Plus, YS Audio has a special going on the A1 right now,
http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?preatube&1106363417">$988 shipped from Hong Kong.
$3200 MSRP seems WAY too high for this preamp considering it is built in China. However, the $988 special Intro Price isn't
too high (but it should have at least remote Volume Control I think; no other remote features are needed).
This doesn't have the fanatical build of the atma-sphere MP3 which has a remote and is built in the USA so it has to be more expensive. Labor costs more here and the overall layout seems much more complex in the MP3 than the A1; not that it means it's better, just more costly and justifiably so.
Monarchy Audio has the same practice for its audio gear; list high and sell lower. Remember I used to have FOUR SM-70pros. They list for $980each. However the first one I bought directly from Monarchy for $650 + s/h. Then I got the second one from their distributor, whose name I no longer have, for $600 shipped. Then after that I just patiently waited for them to show up on Audiogon for $400 usually and I would snag them.
anyway...you should try and negotiate with that one guy on Audiogon who is selling his second hand. He should let it go for $450-$550 + s/h considering the current Speical Introductory pricing.
