It is a good idea to purchase a vintage tube pre-amp.

The Harmon Kardon Citation 1 preamp is excellent when properly restored. To find one like that would probably be more expensive than the preamps listed, but it can keep up with them easily. A very competent circuit!

The Dyna PAS-3 is not a particularly great preamp, but it lends itself very well to update and modification! I've seen them be giant-killers on many occasions. We've done mods on them for decades and our UV-1 is heavily based on those mods. You can find used PAS-3s for $200-$400 depending on condition- and likely they will need refurbishment at that price.

Our own MP-1 has been in production since 1989. So I guess that can qualify as vintage; it features a direct-coupled output that allows it to be quite transparent; the real issue is whether you can find one.

One Classic pre that I don't believe has been mentioned is the
conrad johnson Premier 3. While its some 30 years old, the sound was excellent when paired with solid state amps.

Larry

Another happy owner of a Don Sachs Model 1 6SN7 tube pre!

Don will customize his preamp to ensure it integrates well with your amp, and offers a large choice of upgrade options.

Well worth checking out!

I have heard that ARC drove the tubes really hard in the SP-10 but not so hard in the 11, but do not have personal experience.  For the same money if you are patient you might find a CAT SL-1, with which I have had over 25 years experience.  It's a wonderful preamp with a first rate phono section.  All I've had to do to it is replace one capacitor in the power supply and that only about two years ago.  And I bought mine used.
Happy shunting.

Darn crossed fingers. I meant "Happy hunting."