Van Alstine pre-amplifiers

You need to get a flat frequency response in your room before chasing the tone and timber. Once you get a flat frequency response you will be able to really hear the difference a component change can make. I recommend getting a Paradigm PW Link or Martin Logan Unison preamp with ARC. It comes with a mic, takes measurements and uses DSP to help your gear match the room. They are only $300 on sale and can be piggy backed to any pre or amp you buy in the future. See an example of a flat frequency response posted in my virtual system.

I have no experience with AVA preamps, but did own one of their amps for a while (FET Valve 400R). It was really excellent. I found AVA easy to deal with and no-BS.

You need to get a flat frequency response in your room before chasing the tone and timber.

Amen. My guess is that 90% of the debates and discussions here are not controlling for the variable of the room. This assumption helps me sort through these fora much more effectively for useful advice. Otherwise, it's there's a lot of flatus vocis.

I've had my AVA FET VALVE CFR PREAMPLIFIER for a few months, but haven't really spent any quality time with it.   Having said that, I will say this:  It is a huge improvement over the Parasound P3 that it has replaced.  

Have you any preliminary impressions regarding its sonic character?