First tube preamp recommendations (under $5k)

I'm in Luxman Love, just got their 10 wpc tube amp, SQ-N150.

Luxman, NOS CL35, MKIII Preamp

They say once in a lifetime, it’s beyond rare, that’s for sure

https://www.ebay.com/itm/265067657600?hash=item3db7437980:g:G-kAAOSw-b1d8B6G

same unit, slightly used

https://www.ebay.com/itm/294195745377?epid=1594839865&hash=item447f6ed261:g:q4cAAOSwOyRgrqLk

Current Production Tube Integrated LX-380

http://www.luxman.com/product/detail.php?id=16

Are you considering Vintage?

After what I did for my main system, I might suggest you consider buying a restored vintage unit, or, ’original condition’ with good clean faceplate/glass/controls, have it shipped directly to Audio Classics (or someone you know), have it restored and then sent to you. I bought a McIntosh mx110z Tube Tuner/Preamp in original condition. Got it, sounded great, ... after a year or so I figured, what the heck, I’m going that way, I’ll drop it off. The best thing they did aside from .... is replace all the rca jacks with new gold plated ones. Of course FM alignment, replace a resistor there, a needed faceplate light bulb. Point is, had I been thinking ’long’ I would have had a greater start and skipped one leg of shipping. Those old jacks are a weak point I discovered.

this one says restored, but the faceplate is badly worn, I would avoid that.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/274770994695?hash=item3ff9a0a607:g:qRoAAOSwMDJgUBOg

the model I chose, in a wood case

https://www.ebay.com/itm/203492974627?epid=1158588361&hash=item2f61206023:g:74IAAOSwpqBgxnTi

Audio Research Ls28se. Very dynamic and great sound. Easy to use and plenty of balanced and single ended connections. 

@knighttodd. 
+1

Either the most expensive Vincent Audio “Pho” or a Pro-Ject Tube Box. I’ve owned both; think they are more or less equivalent in sound. 

Simple - buy a used Counterpoint preamp just not the slim line SA-3 or SA-5.  All you need is a SA1000,  Send it to me for modifications - AC filter choke, Audio Note non-magnetic resistors - Amtrans resistors, Nichicon capacitors - maybe Audio Note capacitors - V-Caps, upgrade the volume control.  Now you don't have to spend $5K or more.  Just peak inside any of the recommendations above.  See if anyone of those preamps have any of these parts inside!  Short answer - not one of them.  Why spend $5K on a preamp that uses below average parts.  If you want I will even remove the Counterpoint guts and build you a point-to-point wired version which will just blow your mind.

Happy Listening.