Pre-amp recommendation

I would highly recommend using a tube based preamp because the esoteric can sound very "digital". If you look at tube preamps take your time and listen to at least 3 before you choose. It makes or breaks the whole system and is a key piece to get right. Tube preamps like Dhavilland's Ultraverve 3 sound fantastic without a lot of extras. I like the Manley Labs "Jumbo Shrimp" so much I bought one. I also really liked the sound of the Modwright 9.0SE with the internal tubed power supply (w/ NOS Mullard 5AR4) and the 2 NOS Tung Sol 5687's, this is one of the most beautiful sounding preamps IMO. Just one thing ...keep an eye on preamp output impedance and your amps input (at least 10x's difference is best). The Manley will drive almost any amp it outputs at 200 impedance. Good Luck!

Coincident statement line stage and the trl dude preamp are quite liked in this forum at that price point .

Here are 2 very good choices & both have a world class phono stage if you are into vinyl!

https://app.audiogon.com/listings/tube-vac-renaissance-mk-ii-with-phono-stage-upgrade-2015-02-28-preamplifiers-28721-clyde-nc

https://app.audiogon.com/listings/tube-vac-renaissance-mk-ii-with-phono-stage-upgrade-2015-02-28-preamplifiers-28721-clyde-nc

I would lean toward the tube pre-amps as well. You probably can't go wrong with CARY or VAC and Mattmiller has some fine suggestions. I'm running a all tube system on Gallo Reference MK2 speakers. Anthem (Sonic Frontiers) CD1 tube player. N.E.W. P3 pre (Nelson Pass circuit now serviced by CARY). VTL (Manley) Tiny Triode Monos. All running on vintage Telefunken & Mullard tubes. The guy I bought my pre from switched to a Manley Shrimp. Although, I have upgraded the tubes and P3 is much better now. The CDT tweeter on Gallo speakers can be bright and every time I add tube gear, listening fatigue drops and soundstage gets even bigger. Andy at vintagetubeservices can bring your gear up another level with a tube upgrade as well.

Thanks guys!
I had earlier planned on going without a pre amp but directly from the K01, the sound was bright and lean.
The Densen pre improved on that but I feel a better preamp should bring in a lot more.
I myself was leaning towards tubes and with so many recommendations, tubes it is.
Thanks again!
Will keep you guys posted