Looking to upgrade my old Conrad Johnson PV12

As I recall, those pres only have a single cap in the signal path. Fun upgrades, but that can get pricey.

If a PV-12 is sounding dull there is something wrong in the selection of tubes.

The best preamp I ever owned was a CJ 17 LS2

I had the PV-12. It was an OK preamp, but a little on the dull side. CJ's preamps have improved greatly since the PV-12. It's not currently in use, but I have a CJ Premier 18 that I really like. It sounds better than the 12 in every way. The difference is kind of like the way I compared the Arcam and Meridian CD players in your other thread.

Since you already have SF amps, I would consider a SF preamp to match. They made great preamps. You know it will be a good match, and balanced, as well.

DKonstruction-

big C-J fan here. There are many better pre-amps since your PV12. A few to mention;
Act 2
CT-6
ET-5
ET3 & ET3 SE.

Listen to these selections prior to any purchase. Keep me posted and happy listening!

I enjoyed a pv11 with phono and it was upgraded to pv12 status by Bill Thalmann. Midrange was superb and where it fell down was in treble extension and low bass. I enjoyed it for years and went to a Supratek Chenin which quickly showed it's superiority in above mentioned areas. I had some problems with the supratek over a few years and bought both a Vacuum tube sp-12se and then decided to buy my "final" preamp and acquired a Leben-rs28cx. The Leben is wonderful. One used went for 3 point something here on the gon a few years ago. I know because I missed it and ended up paying close to full retail for a new one. Still glad I did it.

Always been a cj fan (still use premier 12 monoblocks as my power amps and have no intention of selling them) and was at one point looking to get a ct5 or act II but because I primarily spin vinyl I did not want to then have to try to buy a Tea 1 or 2.

I have used a bunch of tube preamps over the past few decades. Lot's I have never heard and you have myriad choices in your price range. Never heard the et3 with phono, but would put that on a list. I had a friend that let me borrow a audio research sp6b and enjoyed the hell out of that driving the 12's. Looked strange but sounded great! Friend went to tubes and bought a tube Cary preamp and Cary V-12 monoblocks and that was one fine ass combination.

I do not know if a used Shindo falls under the 4k mark but that is one of the finest preamps I have heard.

Have fun in the search. I would not discount any cj or audio research but if it was my money used Shindo/Leben would be a no-brainer. Have not heard Aesthetix, Manley, and more that you probably should attempt to get in front of.

Have Fun!