Direct coupled tube preamp?

I have one of the Cary SLP98p F-1 versions, mentioned above. It's simple awesome. I change out gear all of the time, it's an illness, yet I never have any desire to change out the Cary preamp.

You can find them on here, used, for about $2500, a bit less if it's not the version with the phono stage. You have to make sure it's the F-1 version, and that it is stated it is direct coupled. They don't come that way unless it is expressly stated on the box. Only Upscale audio sells them configured from Cary this way. You can get one new from them, you have to call Kevin there, and sometimes they will make you a very good deal on one.