Joule, Blue Circle, CAT SL1

Richard,
You can test the Audio Horizons preamp in your system under the 30 day trial policy. I use the Audio Horizons TP 2.0 preamp through Coincident Super Eclipse MK III loudspeakers, which are not warm sounding loudspeakers. The TP 2.0 delivers a tonally balanced signal across the frequency spectrum which is not edgy at all. I imagine part of that result comes from the remarkably low signal to noise figures of the preamp (better than -110 dB with the fully tricked out version.
Rand

Blue Circle is very good stuff, but if you are buying used, the possibilty you will find a unit with a remote control is pretty slim. Sonically BC is very good. Convience is not there though.

As a former LA-100 MkIII owner, get the Joule, it has what you are looking for and is remote ready. I agree with Kenreau, the LAP-150 MkI that Signature Sound has for sale is a great preamp. I had the pleasure of listening to it at RMAF last year. For about $500 or so you can have it upgraded to MkII, which will make it an even more dynamic and extended.

Joule 150 is a great preamp for the Merlin's.