New tube preamp

I recently replaced my solid-state preamp with a Supratek Cortese. The Don Sachs model 2 was also one that I was considering very closely because of how highly it is rated. I suggest you mainly seek out a 6SN7 based preamp whether it's from atmasphere or Cary or Don Sachs or Supratek. It's a wonderful sounding tube and these are great sounding preamp. Sorry I have no experience with the PS audio bhk.

If you decide to expand your search to include other tube preamps, you may want to add Aric Audio to your list. His preamps may not look as exotic as some on the outside, but it’s top quality under the hood, both parts and workmanship. He can also customize the preamp to ensure synergy with the rest of your system.

Another vote for Don Sachs.

I've never been impressed with the BHK preamp - it sounds quite "soul-less" to me and left me underwhelmed.  In the under $5K range I'd be looking towards Don Sachs or Backert or perhaps a used Herron VTSP3A.

First of all thanks to everyone for your help and suggestions, really appreciate it. Soix, to answer your question, the BHK signature preamp is quite good and I’ve been very happy with it for over two years. The more I read about the Linear Tube Audio Microzotl pre and Supratek’s best sounding preamp, the Cabernet 6sn7 I can’t help but thinking both of those units will sound better then the BHK Signature. Possibly because both of them are 6sn7 tube based designs. The BHK uses 12au7’s. I value tonality and accurate tonal color and the two pre’s I am looking at are supposed to sound great and excell in exactly these areas. What I appreciate most about the Microzotl pre is that they FULLY break in everything they sell before they ship and they give you a 14 day return policy, they even pay return shipping. I wish every manufacturer would have the balls to do that! That speaks volumes to their confidence in the sound quality and there have been reviewers who have bought one after the review and it’s now their reference preamp (teajay) formerly of Home Theater magazine who now reviews gear for a well respected audio online magazine (I forget which one). I know teajay and respect his opinion and his ear.

Scot