Unfortunately, the Blue Circle amp probably wouldn't be the best match for it, but the Placette Passive Linestage sounds like what you are looking for. It is the best "pre" I have heard under $3k and as for a list that I have compared it to that it bettered: Rotel RC-995, Krell KRC-3, Musical Fidelity A3cr, Linn Wakonda, Mark Levinson 380, Conrad Johnson PV-10B and PV-14. Why don't you try one of the Blue Circle BC3 preamps? My friend brought his over and I was very impressed, it has a very large, lush, open, alive sound. It definately has some tube character/coloration but in a very good way.