Carey SLP-98

The SLP-98, even hot-rodded, is not a highly resolving preamp, so if ultimate fidelity and resolution is a priority, look elsewhere. That said, it is very musical and soulful, especially in its F1 version with the right tubes, albeit a bit dark. As a classic tube preamp, if you like bloom and soul at the expense of painting crystal clear pictures of the space and soundstage, it might be worth considering.

IMO there are better preamps to be had.

Heads up: The older version F1 editions originally inspired by uncle Kevy at UpscaleAudio back then sound quite different (veiled over, soupy) compared to a much newer SLP-98 from the past few years. A friend resold his older 98 F1 version and bought a current 98 version with some changes, with the better Mundorf caps. Heard them side-by-side paired up with different amps and his Harbeth 40.1 speakers. The newer 98 is different sounding, can be notably more transparent too. A designer who came on after Dennis left tweaked it a little more, as I understand it, and we spoke about it directly before I bought mine. 

Along with the right caps, simply changing the 6SN7s in the later version 98  can give it five different sounds if you must try various 6SN7s. I run the newer version myself and each vintage or newer overseas 6SN7 changes the sound one way or the other depending on what you like. Sound can change notably with different interconnects on the newer 98 preamp, i've tried several, various designs with my 98.   Its worth demoing and trying more than a few before buying ICs there too, as another recommendation for consideration.

I had a newer one for a while and loved it so much i bought the SLP 05.  the 98L is actually more transparent sounding.  

Regardless the 98 is an excellent value, has low noise, sounds smooth, refined, dynamic and has a huge front back, left right, up down sound stage.  among the best and better than the rogue audio rp 7 for example.  

I've had only a few top pre-amps, a Quintessence, a couple of ARCs, a Parasound, and a SLP-98. By far the SLP-98 F1 is my favorite. It's not dark, surpy, or anything less than others. The 3D is off the charts great. 

I agree with @blisshifi , the Cary is not resolving. Very tubey if that’s what you like. I brought one in around 2000 to try and I greatly preferred the AI Modulus 3a I had at the time.

No not looking for soup but do want a rich tone.

Tone and Timbre is the goal.

But it does sound like the newer model is different.

Also looking at ModWright and LTA; open to other suggestions in the 3-5 K price range

@ozzy62 Interesting. My buddy had the AI Modulus 3a too, me the newer Cary SLP-98, and compared the two over time. While he changed out the stock sovtek 6922s in his AI, me 6SN7s, and another friend with Mundorf caps the newer 98, each of us found transparency without giving up tone and texture. Both were more "resolving" in upgraded form though. Better tubes and better caps changed it.