looking for a tube preamps that doesn't sound like SS

With my Mapletree Audio preamp, and I suspect other similar models out there, the sound can be achieved with proper tube selection. So many different flavors of 6SN7 tubes (lush, clean, clear, powerful, precise, hazy, etc.) from which to choose. Conversations with Dr. Peppard and Brent Jesse guided me to the specific tubes to match the desired sound for which I was targeting. I could be all wet, but it seems that if the pre has a decently designed circuit with the functions you require, its the tube choice that will determine the sound more than anything else. And one of the cool features of my Mapletree is that with a flip of a switch I can go from 6SN7 tubes to 12SN7s, which can sound similar to their 6SN7 counterpart, but at a much cheaper cost.

There are so many! Any older CJ preamp. A wonderful tube preamp is the LInear Tube Micro Zotl with power supply.  This is the venerable David Berning design! I love that one with Tungsol round plates.  Backert Labs makes a great preamp, Modwright, Supertek is wonderful plus you can get a phono stage for that price, Don Sachs is also highly regarded, Atmasphere, Cary etc. I also liked the Doge 8 with NOS tubes (about $1400 new.) All are great and I probably forgot about 10 others.
It is a great time to be an audiophile with all the great choices new and used!

Schiit balanced "Freya +" at 900 bucks...the "improved" version (same features as the original but adds some things like a motorized volume control and tube "turn off" when using the passive or FET modes...great way to save tubes if using the thing for background music) of the original I’ve been using for a while with NOS GE 6SN7GTBs...a superb sounding USA made preamp that proves great design needn’t be expensive.

I found the sound I was after with a Modwright 36.5 with a NOS GZ34 Mullard in the power supply. 

Oh, easy. Take a close look at the Supratek Audio Chardonnay. This is the latest iteration of the preamp that kicked off the longest running thread on Audiogon. Search for "Preamp Deal of the Century".

Another top candidate would be the Don Sachs Model 2. Extremely well regarded.

If you're wanting to buy new, I don't think you can go wrong with either of these two preamps. You can spend more, but it will be tough to find better.