Vintage tube preamps: CJ or ARC?

What's your budget?

If you find one, the C-J PV11 is outstanding they go for about 500-800 used.

I would skip the CJ PV10. It wasn't nearly as 3D or as sweet in the highs as my McIntosh C712.

The CJ5 is about as "classic" a tube sound as you could find. It is sweet and rich and warm. I think you would find the AR gear from the same era as much more detailed and open, but perhaps not as "enjoyable". I used to have Ar SP8 and it was pretty decent, but the old cj stuff is just plain nice to listen to.

2nd the PV5. I still use mine and with my speakers/room and taste in tunes, I figure I would have to spend about 5 times the price for a new full function preamp that would be as enjoyable.