First tube preamp recommendations (under $5k)

@ebm I can get VAC Signature mk2se for about $7200

Guys thanks so much for the awesome suggestions. Lots to think about.
@avanti1960 You like the Cary better than the RH5?
@decooney gonna look hard at cary
@daveyf I can get a CAT Sl1 ref locally for about $2500.

@ghdprentice I think you might be right. It might be better to reach higher. I also like the idea of a known quantity that I can turn around and sell if needed.
Is CJ considered at the same performance level as ARC and VAC?

@invalid I talked to the space tech labs guy and the 1 thing I didn't like he wasn't willing to show me the internals (he claims since he doesn't want people to copy him). Its something I don't like about mcintosh either.

@ebm, I just realized the Vac is actually the older non-SE model. I did hope for the SE model. Also my local dealer (Angie's audio) told me that if I bought ARC or VAC used from someone (not her) that she would not give me any support (even paid support) so that makes me wary about getting ARC/VAC. Kevin at VAC told me to go to Angie and he wouldn't help either.

@soix, ya gonna look hard at teh don sachs, he gets lots of praise.

@dep14, really impressive you liked the c2700 over the xp22.

@elliottbnecombjr, Luxman is awesome and I'd love to own their TOTL tube pre or c900u. Not too interested in vintage though.

@knighttodd, good thought, will consider

@audioman58, @dmcneilr, ya I got AGD HE9 right now and its a solid preamp, used it for 4 years. Didn't realize their vacuum preamp is that good wow! Beating the evo400 is nuts.

@twodolphins, Atmasphere looks nice for sure.

@axpert what have you compared the evo400 to ?

I had a chat with underwood hifi and he is really impressed with the vacuum HE1 (he is a dealer so obviously there is bias). But he found it nearly good as the zesto ultra 2 which is nearly 3x the price and better than PS BHK. So that does have me interested.

@liamowen Ya this engineer in our audio discord Sonic Visions loves Conrad Johnson. Says their designs are incredible.
@JG2077 seems like the black path is the CAT to get.

@jg2077 AR3?

@pointtrucking whats wrong with rogue ?

Guys I have an EVO400 that came up locally... $4200 CAD
Also dealer selling ARC Ref 5 (consignment) $6900 CAD
Thoughts?

@ghdprentice really eh?
Another option is Aric audio. Mother load 2 or special 6sn7. Looks to be well made.

@mesch ya I had a long talk with Aric. He is an awesome guy. What I don't know is if ML2 will be competitive or better than stuff like a used VAC Ren V or ARC Ref 5.

I wish someone compared them though. Would make it easier to jump in.

Read 1 guy preferring motherlode 2 to his Pass XP22. Thats pretty impressive.
I think @teajay also liked ML2 over his microzotl.

But so far have not seen anyone compare ML2 to VAC or ARC. I wonder.

Has anyone compared LTA MicroZOTL vs LS28, ref5se or VAC Renaissance V ?

@scottya118 Thanks I am looking at the backert.
Right now though im leaning heavily to Aric audio's motherlode 2. He seems to have unanimous praise. One guy on audiogon actually preferred it over his  Pass XP22.

So my wife actually bought the ref5 that my dealer has on consignment ($6900 CAD all in). Tomorrow I will talk to the dealer to finalize pickup. She was tired of my waffling and just made the decision. But I am concerned that its not a very good price for the ref5 and that the ref 5se is a pretty big step up from what I read (and can be had used for not much more). So should I cancel and wait for a better deal?

LOL I am just terrible man :(

Guys so I ended up buying a used ARC Ref 5SE. I found it for the same price as my local dealer was offering for the ref5.
Gonna have it sent to ARC to check over and ensure in good condition and then they will ship to me.
Thanks for all your help!!! Hopefully will work well. Fingers crossed.

@ghdprentice Thank you for your sage and kind comments man. It makes me feel good that I made the right decision. I really look forward to my first experience with tubes :D
What does the rest of your system look like ?

@tomic601 thanks man ! Appreciate the tips
@ghdprentice beautiful systems! Truly end game

@mirage-71 Which EVO model do you have and what other tube preamps did you compare to ?

@mulveling Thanks man. I think it was between the Ren V and this older ARC and I thought about your comparisons and what you said about this. I think maybe I would have loved the VAC sound but pricing wise it didn't work out since it has a phono board that i would never use and didn't make sense to pay for. I have heard lots of good things about 5SE so hopefully will be great.
@ghdprentice  :D

I do hope the ARC will sound richer and more musical than my AGD HE9 SS preamp. :)

@ghdprentice thank you, will consider that once I get the unit in