Wanted:Warm, Sweet preamp.

He pal,
From what I understood that you don't aim to stretch a large buck for preamp.
Well, it's great because such one IMHO is McCormack Micro Line Drive which is no more in production but used one you could get in $300 range.

I've listened the latest Cary 308 preamp, it's in this direction 99%.

Joule Electra...

Specifically the LA-100 Mk III or the LA-150 (if you can swing the money).

No doubt about it.

I would suggest the Cary SLP-98. Excellent sounding pre.

Budget allowing I would also second the Joule (LA-100 MkIII) or Cary SLP-98. I have had both in my system and although the Joule still remains the Cary is an excellent product. There have been some used Joule preamps on Audiogon of late priced quite reasonably.

Another option might be an Easten Electric Mini-max. I have read and heard very good things about this preamp. I believe it has the sonic signature you're looking for at a much lower cost. Tube rolling is supposed to provide additional benefits.

Considering my own system. I am now using a passive preamp for my digital front-end. Not all passive preamps lack dynamics and warmth. True, they will never rival tubes, but the custom K&K Audio TVC I just got using S&B transformers (versus resistors) is both transparent and dynamic (at all volume settings) with a touch of warmth that at times has me reaching for the Joule remote to changes the volume only to realize that I have to get up and do it because I couldn't tell which preamp was in use.