2 recommendations: The first one requires patience and trust because if you can get your hands on one it will be a stroke of good fortune as they only appear on the used marketplace every now and then and to order one new could take several months... I'm referring to a Tube Research Lab: "The Dude" pre-amp. It is one of the very top most musical pre's you will ever know. It conveys the emotion and architecture of the music in a big holographic stage...
It's built like a piece of industrial equipment that essentially can remain "On" for decades at a time (mine is only turned off for other component swapping or temporary system shut downs like vacations, powercord swaps and such).
It comes SE or can be built balanced if you need it to be and also with 2 sets of pre-outs for biamping ( but double check this point because maybe not every one was built this way...). It is essentially 6SN7 based but also has a tube regulated power supply and can be had with a remote volume too...
Keep in mind waiting lists are very long if you still want to have one built (they are all hand made point to point wiring and essentially custom per user)although if you find a used one it can be sent back to the factory for a check up/upgrades but there is still a time factor.
I would consider this a preferred choice if you have time...and patience....but well worth the wait. List is about $6K new these days (though they may be higher than that now or soon) and I think between $4-$5 used...The main point is though, it will likely be the last pre you will need/want/own, for most people. Well worth the effort but your situation/ MMV...
The other recommendation is the Coincident
Line Stage built by Israel Blume...also in your $5k price range and an excellent performer. Open, transparent stage with just enough tube influence to add the much appreciated "Body" to the performers...There is much written about it on the web...take a look and read.
I'm sure you would find either a good match for your SF power 3's ...Good luck.
It's built like a piece of industrial equipment that essentially can remain "On" for decades at a time (mine is only turned off for other component swapping or temporary system shut downs like vacations, powercord swaps and such).
It comes SE or can be built balanced if you need it to be and also with 2 sets of pre-outs for biamping ( but double check this point because maybe not every one was built this way...). It is essentially 6SN7 based but also has a tube regulated power supply and can be had with a remote volume too...
Keep in mind waiting lists are very long if you still want to have one built (they are all hand made point to point wiring and essentially custom per user)although if you find a used one it can be sent back to the factory for a check up/upgrades but there is still a time factor.
I would consider this a preferred choice if you have time...and patience....but well worth the wait. List is about $6K new these days (though they may be higher than that now or soon) and I think between $4-$5 used...The main point is though, it will likely be the last pre you will need/want/own, for most people. Well worth the effort but your situation/ MMV...
The other recommendation is the Coincident
Line Stage built by Israel Blume...also in your $5k price range and an excellent performer. Open, transparent stage with just enough tube influence to add the much appreciated "Body" to the performers...There is much written about it on the web...take a look and read.
I'm sure you would find either a good match for your SF power 3's ...Good luck.