First tube preamp recommendations (under $5k)

Yes, I do. I would find a way to listen to one.. see if you like the sound. My first good preamp was a used Audio Reseach. It took me out of the preamp market for over ten years… and slowly over the decades I was swayed to an all ARC system. I owned Pass amps for 40 years… the last an x350 for over 18 years… I got back in trade very nearly what I paid for it (net cost $500 for 18 years)! You can see my systems by clicking on my user name. I used ARC preamps / Pass amps for decades.

A good approach is to make a short list of great ones… then find which ones you can audition (car trip to a nearby city?). You will not be able to hear all of them. Then read the reviews really carefully of what you heard… then you can read the reviews of what you have not to see if you are interested. Each of these brands have “house” sounds… so over time they get better converging on more accurate … but with the same house sound. So, if you find your “house” then you can look for what you can afford.

Im sure a used Vac Sig mk2 se would sound wonderful great sound and a great co as well.

"Space-Tech Laboratory - High-End Audio" http://www.thebestamp.com/Tube_Pre-Amps/Reference_Series/Reference-3.php

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I been looking at these guys for a while..

invalid is REALLY on to something.. You really aught to look.

BIG valve preamps are gonna be 'ALL THAT" soon enough..

My next one WILL be STL and their BIG valve EQ.. Cary is close with the old 6N7 stuff.. 6N7 valves suck, that is the truth of it all..

WAY too many bad ones out there.. vs WAY to many GREAT big valves like KT88, EL34, 6V6s. 6n7s are ok at best..

Regards..

OP, if you can source locally a SLI1 ref I would check that out. I have owned CAT preamps for many years, IMHO there really is nothing better in tube preamp land. 

want to explore what tubes can do to the sound (slight warmth, biggest soundstage, better layering etc etc). 

Given what you’re looking for I’d add the Don Sachs linestage that fully tricked out is around $2500, and he offers a trial period that’s obviously nice to have.  Single ended only though.  More on the slightly cooler/less warm side the LTA microZOTL pre would also be well worth a look in your price range.  Best of luck.