Would like to try a tube preamp after years of solid state and hybrid

@immatthewj - I seem to have a gut feeling that Cary would be a great option for me.  The SLP 98L gets a lot of good reviews and one is available for $2,000.  I'm not sure that I would like the exposed tubes.  I just read something from a old Audiogon post describing the SLP-70 as having a warm, old school tube sound. 

As I typed previously:  I've no experience with the 70 OR the 98, but based on my experience of going from a modded SLP90 to a SLP05, I suspect the SLP98 would outperform the SLP70 hands down.  If I am not mistaken (and I well might be, so you might want to look at some reviews for the SLP70) it was one of the first preamps Cary ever came up with and kind of an entry level one.  I think Cary preamps progressively got better and better.  What I have read, here on A'gon,  about the '98, is that it has a "sweet" sonic characteristic, which to some probably means warm.  As far as the exposed tubes, I guess that's a practical matter as well as personal preference.  Preamp tubes do not get blazing hot like amp output tubes do, but still, they are sticking up there, and if there are animals or children who are apt to mess around with them, well, that is a real consideration. 

The exposed tubes has become another characteristic of most Cary gear, and it is actually one that appeals to me on an aesthetic basis, however I can see it may not be for everyone.   I will say this about the exposed tubes, it does make rolling tubes and/or troubleshooting a tube easier. 

@immatthew - Thanks for the additional input regarding Cary equipment.  I wasn't able to find as many reviews about the 70, but based on reviews about the 98, I agree that it should perform at a much higher level.  Based on that potential, I haven't ruled it out.  One issue with exposed tubes is that I have an enclosed cabinet and the tallest available shelf is 7" tall.  The 98 is 5" tall.  I have no idea how much heat any of these preamps will produce, but that is one concern.  I also have a dog, but she has very limited, to no access to the cabinet.  I also appreciate the point regarding tube rolling.  That would be much easier.

@charliehorse, as I mentioned previously, preamp tubes (and those are 6SN7s in the SLP98) do not get roasting hot like amp output tubes do, but I’d still like to give them some breathing room up top. I just did a quick search on the internet and it appears as if it goes back to ’93 (I thought is was further back than that) & listed for $1350. The tube complement was two 12AX7s ( a small signal tube) and two 6SN7s and two 6SL7s which are the same size as each other but larger than the 12AX7s. If you’ve looked at any pictures of it, you have noted that it is an enclosed chassis, so perhaps one does not need to be as cautious about having it in a somewhat restricted space. After a few hours of listening, my SLP05 and it’s power supply are very warm to the touch, but not hot enough that I cannot leave my hand on them. (The SLP98 also has a separate power supply, and I am thinking that the 70 does as well.) If you do start leaning in the direction of a 98, you might reach out to Cary and see what they think about the space you have that it would live in. You will probably have to email them, as I think that their tech support no longer talks on the phone to people about product questions and problems. In the days of old, customer support was a huge selling point for Cary as far as I was concerned.

Here is what someone had to say about their Cary SLP70:

"I actually have another Cary Audio SLP-70 that has been highly modified that I now use for phono only duties. These units really do have nice phono stages as do most tube amps of this vintage. Unlike the Conrad Johnson tube preamps, the Cary SLP-70 does not seem overly warm or sweet. It provides a clear, clean, and open presentation and never does anything to get in the way of the music. It reveals the details of the music, but not at the expense of blunting the transients."

I recently bought a lightly used Icon Audio LA4 Mk 3 for less than $1500 more from curiosity than anything else and was amazed at the performance. It wasn't as tubey sounding as a CJ pre but had all the other attributes in spades, especially the quietness. It was in fact the quietest tube pre I have ever heard or not heard in this case. The pre was so good I now use it in place of a well reviewed $10,000 pre, which in deference to the designer I will not name. If you can find an Icon give it a try, especially the Signature model.

If pursuing an Audible Illusions product, the L series has a remote for volume and mute. The M series has no remote control. 
 

Currently I’m using the L3A in my main system. Love it. 
 

Had the M3A many moons ago and always missed it once it was sold….