Preamp recommendation

@georgehifi
Thanks for the links and suggestions for passive.

I was lucky to find a used Einstein The tube mk2 for less than 40 percent of the list price in an audio forum, here in Norway. I mostly agree with the glowing review by Fremer in Stereophile - this preamp sounds like nothing, like a good preamp should do. It does have some sound of its own, though, which may fit in very well in your case. Both, the tube part of the amplification, and the hefty s-state power supplies. Delicate and powerful.  

i love tube active preamps.  they add life like dynamics, have a more refined sound with larger sound stage and offer the option to customize with tube changing.
i have had the rogue audio rh5 headphone amp linestage and the sound is excellent, crystal clear with hard driving attack and energy.  
recently upgraded to the rp7 and the rh5 does not lose much at half the price.  
the rh5 is a stellar bargain at $2500 retail.  

i love tube active preamps. they add life like dynamics, have a more refined sound with larger sound stage and offer the option to customize with tube changing.

i agree with this - conrad johnson, audio research, vac etc have not been stealing deaf peoples' money for the last 40 years...

Doesn't Van Alstine have some items the OP might look into?  The FET/valve CFR is $2099 w/o phono.  Seems worth a look.   I found a C-J PV-11 in good working order and my preamp search is over.