First tube preamp recommendations (under $5k)

"Space-Tech Laboratory - High-End Audio" http://www.thebestamp.com/Tube_Pre-Amps/Reference_Series/Reference-3.php


This preamp can run it 150 tubes, you can also buy a separate power supply  to power it, just plugs right into the rectifier socket on the preamp. This power supply can use big rectifier tubes like 874a Mercury rectifier tubes. I have one of his lower line preamps, which sounded great on it's own, but had a way better soundstage and instrument separation with the super rectifier power supply.

Preamps are really critical components to a system… of course they all are… but it is the component you build a system around. This is also the perfect place for tubes… you can put a really magical quality (not artificially so) by the careful choice of a great tube preamp. You have a world class amp. I can’t help but think you have greater aspirations for your system overall. In which case you might consider reaching up another tier by buying used. Something more matching the quality level of your amp.

Real high end stuff is built like a tank, highly reliable, and is bested less readily than lower end stuff (like your amp). Maybe used, Audio Research, Conrad Johnson, VAC… there are more. The next tier up has significant sophisticated gains in sound quality.

@ghdprentice I think you might be right. It might be better to reach higher. I also like the idea of a known quantity that I can turn around and sell if needed.
Is CJ considered at the same performance level as ARC and VAC?

Yes, I do. I would find a way to listen to one.. see if you like the sound. My first good preamp was a used Audio Reseach. It took me out of the preamp market for over ten years… and slowly over the decades I was swayed to an all ARC system. I owned Pass amps for 40 years… the last an x350 for over 18 years… I got back in trade very nearly what I paid for it (net cost $500 for 18 years)! You can see my systems by clicking on my user name. I used ARC preamps / Pass amps for decades.

A good approach is to make a short list of great ones… then find which ones you can audition (car trip to a nearby city?). You will not be able to hear all of them. Then read the reviews really carefully of what you heard… then you can read the reviews of what you have not to see if you are interested. Each of these brands have “house” sounds… so over time they get better converging on more accurate … but with the same house sound. So, if you find your “house” then you can look for what you can afford.

Im sure a used Vac Sig mk2 se would sound wonderful great sound and a great co as well.