Best preamp for my system.

Thank you very much to everyone who has responded, you have given me a number of options to investigate. My issue with the tube stuff is that I need to use the pre as a pass through for my theatre system as well as my two channel system, and don't know if that can be done without putting time on the tubes!?? I just don't want to have to unhook and hookup cables depending on if I run the two channel or the theatre! If a tube pre is going to be that much better than SS I can work on other options, but would like the ease of pass through capable pre. Right now I am also using Y adaptors on my 380S output so that I can run one cable to the bass tower amp and one cable to the tweeter/mid amps............I need to do this as the 380S only has one left and one right output. Thanks again for all the info everyone, much appreciated.

there are plenty of tube pres w dual outputs. And most pre-amp tubes last a very long time and unless you use NOS tubes, are not that expensive. Also there are some HT bypass units that do not require the pre to be on. For example my Doshi, but there are others.

am open to suggestions if a serious upgrade from my 380S can be had for less than those two expensive units

When you have a chance to try a Lamm LL2, do it. Amazing good sounding unit.
Has 2xoutputs.

Shane - Check out the list on this thread in which many people gave great feedback on dual-output pre-amps;

http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?aamps&1222917424&read&keyw&zzss=or=tube=preamps

Give me a call if you like as I wound up to talking with several of these members about the data and opinions they provided. Enjoy!

Thanks Mark might just give you a call! I have done much reading based on feedback from members here and recommended threads..........yours was interesting Mark...entertaining!! Some other preamps that caught my eye from my reading were MBL6010D...but it seems alot of folks think the sound can be too big and not real, as amazing as that pre sounds from the reviews. The Shindo interests me, but not sure if it's single ended or balanced, I will have to check into it. The Halcro DM10 seems undeniable, but I just don't know about the design! ARC ref 3 is interesting, seems like most people think there is good bang for the buck with the ARC ref 3, but not alot of people raving about it......not much passion about it, seems strange for a tube reference amp......seems to me that when talking about us audionuts that most of the really over the top ones are tube people, and yet alot of folks like the REf 3 maybe even love it, but no passion in their words. That said.....I read about the BAT VK52SE and there are some passionate folks talking about that unit, so much so that it is at the top of my short list right now! I just read some about the Krell EVO 222, don't have much info on that so will have to look it up as well. Thanks again to everyone inputing their recommendations!