tube preamps

Sonic Frontiers preamps are a good value ...great parts & build quality.......would probably tame your harshness a bit, and hey, they have sounded great in my rig, I went from a Line 3 to a 3SE. I used to have a levinson amp, but now have BAT 150SE's. A Line 2SE or Line 3, or even a Line 3SE all are in your budget......and the disc shaped remote is very nice! They are often seen on Agon.... There ARE warmer tube preamps than the SF though.

Try looking for Copland preamps. I had one before I bought my Hovland, sold my Hovland and bought another Copland. Extremely holographic, slimline, not ugly, and it has a good feel to the controls. Look for CTA 301 MKII, I believe, for remote or CTA 305 which is the latest. They can be had used for about $1000.

Which Pass Labs amp? Pass is not known for brightness. What cables are you using.

I recommend a Conrad Johnson Premier 17ls you should have no problem finding one within your budget, or 16ls (used) if you can stretch a bit; both have remote. Bigkdz makes a good point Pass Labs are not known for brightness. I have found them to be very smooth and warm almost, dare I say it, tube like. Keep in mind the pre-amp is the life blood of your system as I have found it to be a greater contributor to great sound than the amplifier or front end (digital).

Chuck

The CJ preamps would be my first choice, but they are fairly neutral, just a tad warm. If you really want to tame an edgy or hot amp, try a Sunfire Classic Tube Preamp.