Tube Preamplifier Time


First of all I'd like to say thanks to all you guys that contribute and share opinions on hi-fi gear as well as all the wonderfull music you've listened to. My musical tastes are all over the map including progressive rock, experimental & classic jazz, and I've just recently ventured into the wide world of clasical. I cant quite explain it but the mood that the latter style mentioned puts me in is completely different than that of any other musical enjoyment I've experienced. My setup currently consists of a pair of Thiel CS2.4 spks, Krell
KAV-A150a amplifier, Rotel RCD-1072, and a Marantz AV-550 preamp/processor all in a dedicated room w/9x10X11ft. dimensions. I guess the question that I have is what would you consider replacing the preamp with in a system like this that I've put together? I think that currently it plays to great enjoyment for my ears but have heard tubed preamps and no doubt want the company. Upon listening to a few models more than a year ago with no cash to purchase at the time I decided for example that the VTL5.5 was more up my alley than say a CarySL98(I believe that's the model) due to how warm the cary sounded. I would prefer to keep the cost below 3K if at all possible

Thanks ahead, Chris

velocityofhue
The Modwright 9.0SE should be right up your alley. I owned the Cary SLP-98 and while I agree that it is warm, it is an incredible preamp. I now own a Joule Electra LA-100 MkIII and while it is a tad on the warm side, it is an extremely musical preamp (on your budget you'll need to buy one used). Having just begun to listen to more classical music myself, the Joule makes the strings come alive, the mids are lush but not syrupy, and the low end is extended and more controlled unlike other tube preamps.
Why not listen to a eastern MINI MAX Preamp. Tubed wonderfully clean without being too overdone in the mids.
Ive owned Audible illusions M3A's, Audio research LS15. Ls-2BII,ect. the Eastern is more enjoyable then the ones mentioned and you can pick up a modded version for 600.
Look up the reviews all 5 Star. The CAT II is my next choice At the 3 grand level.
Demo a Rogue 99 Magnum or used McIntosh C2200; both very dynamic tube preamps. And, both sweet mates for a SS amp.
I love my Herron VTSP-1A, it's neutral and transparent with just a touch of warmth. It's also the quietest tubed preamp I've ever owned. You can often find them used for just under $2K. Happy listening!