CJ Premier 18/Cary slp 98-which is closer to PF-R?

I agree with Triode that the SLP-98 does the "'lush, bloomy' thing big time." In my system, it did it a bit too much, but I can certainly see how it would be perfect for some systems and taste. The Conrad Johnson I am familar with is the 17, and it is not nearly as rich and heavy in the midbass.

An interesting alternative, allbeit more expensive, would be an Emotive Audio Sira. This is a very lively, harmonically rich and exciting sounding linestage that make both the CJ and the Cary sound a tiny bit flat and boring by comparison.

If you don't need a remote control then First Sound preamps are amazing. Very rich and musical and honest at the same time. Notes seem to explode out of a blackness.

I think it's hard to go wrong with Cary or CJ though. I've heard a lot of Cary and CJ gear and Cary does seem the richer sounding of the two generally. CJ finds a nice middle ground between being overly sterile and being overly rich. My choice would probably depend on my mood in the moment. I definitely have CJ moods and Cary moods...

Art

I own both the SLP98 & the PF-R; using them in my 2 systems. They are both great pre-amps, but very different IMO. You almost can't go wrong with almost any Cary component, if it works with your system, but then I've also loved all the C-J gear I've owned. As for looks, Cary is usually "sexier".......

slp98 is one of the best bargains in the market and if you upgrade it with some Sylvania Nos...you've got a killer pre.
If you need more microdynamics and transparency then check also the LAMM.
imho.

I just purchased an SLP-98L and even with stock tubes it sounds very nice. It brings the music to life. Eventually I'll do some tube rolling, but will probably keep the rest of it stock.