Beautiful Colored Tube Preamp ($10k budget) to Pair w/ Very Accurate Monitors (PSI A25M)

dejayos

I'd prefer a 6SN7 preamp tube personally. In addition to the CJ recommendation though, I'd look at: Aric Audio, Supratek, and the Don Sachas/Lynn Olson Raven preamp. I'd even reach out to Aric Kimball (Aric Audio), Don Sachs (Raven preamp, sold by Spatial Audio), and Mick Maloney (Supratek) to have a conversation. Aric Audio and Supratek make a bunch of preamps, they could lead you in the right direction on their products.

For transparency, I own an Aric Audio Motherlode XL preamp.....and Aric certainly can customize his preamps, and he has adjustable gain controls.

Just about any tube preamp can sound warm, 3d, and inviting if you put the right tubes in it. 

NOS tubes to consider: 

Amperex-Holland,

RCA Black plates,

Mullard,

Brimar

the above will have the sound your looking for.  

I have a Cary Audio SLP-05. It is awesome. You can get one with the Ultimate Upgrade for under $10k.

a lot of that tube color and help warm up the very accurate PSI monitors

Generally speaking, high-end tube preamps are striving to be more realistically neutral with some tube warmth. Nowadays, If one wants heavy tube warmth, they would usually get it in the amplification usually coupled with a matching efficient speakers - the higher efficiency, the less tubes needed for amplification and thus reduces cost.  

Maybe old vintage tube preamps….,

Love my Supratek Chardonnay that Mick built last year. Just fabulous sound with the stock 6SN7 tubes. Never had a preamp sound so right with easy to obtain new stock tubes. Wish I’d ordered one years ago. It would have saved me a lot of nos tube money. Mick will make suggestions and build what you want. He has a service man in the US.

Thanks,

aldnorab