The Ayre would be a good choice, but you might also consider a used Klyne preamp (in one of the recent "7" series of releases). Stan Klyne designs and builds a killer good SS preamp!! You might have to spend a bit more -- say, $2500 -- but it will compete with just about SS preamp selling for as much as $7500.
You should also consider a Bryston BP-25 preamp. This preamp is the very essence of neutrality, and has great build quality and an outstanding 20-year warranty, yet is not usually mentioned as competition against some of the "favored" audiophile brands. The BP-25, however, has gotten some outstanding reviews from international audio mags, and is the reference preamp owned by Robert Greene of TAS magazine.
