Tube Sound With Equalization?

No a Eq expands the frequency response but a true Vacuum tube preamp is just more expansive ,call it coloration or even harmonic distortion  much it sounds nice to the ear, with many brands ,most brands the critical volume attenuator most use a passive,$20 Alps pot which robs detail especially low level micro detail .  A Resistive ladder ,with relay much much better.I-just Purchased a Linear Tube Audio Micro Zotl  ,it’s a Excellent Vacuum tube preamp. my brother bought one , I had to have one with my Very under the radar BelCanto E1X Amplifier which has a lot of the Black series technologies not any regular class D ,.The LTA preamp for $6350 with excellent sounding tubes and build quality 2nd to none competes with ease anything at 2x+ it’s cost, well worth checking out for added realism in your recordings.

TMR has a Modwright tube buffer used at a decent price. I think it also has balanced inputs.

No to the equalizer as others have said.  Sell the Benchmark pre and get a tube preamp.  

I sold my Benchmark and got a LTA MicroZOTL Level 2.  Thought I would keep the Benchmark and switch out, but after hearing the MicroZOTL for a week decided to sell the LA4. Waiting to try some upgraded tubes from LTA for even more improvement.

EQ, nah, tube buffer, some…tube preamp, more.