Tubeyist sounding Pre-amp?

Have you considered the Sunfire tube pre ?Should have synergy with your amp . Had one for a minute and moved on for the fact it was tubey . Have come to the conclusion tubes just aren't my thing no matter how many times i read get a tube pre and solid state amp . 

If you want a tubey sounding preamp, you probably don't want an ARC preamp.  The 6H30 tube that they use is definitely not classic tube or warm or euphonic sounding.  I know that someone could build a preamp using it that is those things, but ARC isn't doing that.

Bigkidz...surprised you mentioned counterpoint. Have had a 3.1 for 25 years( !). Purchased expensive potential replacements 3 times, one of which is in storage bc I keep going back to the CP. Shame this company went away so long ago, they would have done some great things. Had a CJ amp long ago, should have kept that too!

You owe it to yourself to listen to CJ's highly acclaimed PFR SS preamp.  It is tube sounding without the issues of tube maintenance (magic how they do it).  Stereophile rated class A all the way.  If you can find one, you can get it at a good used price.  Based on what you are looking for I think it is a guaranteed love affair for you.  

" Do you 5 channels? Does anyone need 5 channels?"

If you speakers allow for it, you can use 4 of the 5 channels and do a vertical biamp.