Looking for warm tube preamp (should pair well with Pass power amp), budget $6000

@decooney

Re; The Cary SLP-05, I have not heard the ultimate upgrade but everything you mention about the SLP-05 is right on. Cables and tubes can make a huge difference.

The other important factors are gain adjustment, rectifier and balanced inputs and outputs.

Gain adjustment is critical for having the cleanest and the most dynamic sound. There seems to be a large tolerance but it needs to be considered and not just cranked all the way as a default.

The 5AR4 / GZ34 rectifier can be upgraded to a NOS f32 made by Mullard off label for ~ 150.  Best 150 I have ever spent- more open and dynamic.  

I recommend using the balanced connections if at all possible, especially the balanced out to the amp even if the amp is single ended, use a neutrik adaptor.

the dynamics and sound stage are so much better using the balanced out vs. the single ended. not even close !

I also have a Zesto Leto.   It is an incredible sounding piece.  Zesto support is top notch,  I just had George do the ESP power supply mod.   It replaced a Conrad Johnson Classic 2SE , the difference was pronounced.    The Zesto is so life like , it is voiced perfectly.    If I had the cash, I would buy the latest Leto II Ultra.   Best sounding component I have ever owned , used ,or demoed. 

@avanti1960 Based on what @decooney said I feel I might actually really like the Cary sound.

@smodtactical  many of the nice tube preamps mentioned so far could be good, even better with upgraded tubes and higher quality caps in them.  Some providers offer their own optional upgrades when purchased new. Or, when buying used components, finding a good local tech to install / test common upgrades can be another recommended option for consideration. Watch out, replacing and hearing a better quality tube or a better quality cap, can be addictive for all future components. :) 

ghdprentice

"ARC... tube amps are very neutral and natural not remotely syrupy. Your description of what you wanted described it perfectly. Also, ARC gear is very synergistic… the more in the signal path the better it sounds... I never realized how important this synergy was until I added an ARC amp and then an ARC DAC… wow… that was a jaw dropping moment..."

Agree...

I have been using the ARC Ref 5se as a preamp with various SS amps... and... while it sounds fine... it didn’t really have that "tube magic," until I mated it with the ARC Ref 150se amp. That combo added the detail resolution, air, and atmosphere that had been missing.

However, I would not say it is as "tubey" sounding as... say... McIntosh, or maybe some others. If you’re looking for that "phat" sound of tubes... that may not be found in ARC amps, which seem to focus more on "high resolution." That is also my impression of my Atma-sphere M60’s - which, seem to me to have a more neutral, high resolution sound.

I would go hear some ARC and other setups with matching components, before you decide what to do. It will be harder to find "miss-matched" setups to demo, but would be best if you could find them to demo. Otherwise, you’re likely going to be searching (via trial and error) for a while.