New to Preamp - Preamp suggestion around 10k

Question for the group.  The OP is looking for "slight bit of warmth, plus better dynamics and imaging" and is asking for pre-amp suggestions to help with that.  Is a pre-amp the right tool to solve this issue?  Or would looking at different headphones make more sense?  

It (somewhat) depends who you ask. This approach is not without precedence. The traditional "problem" with Stax headphones specifically, compared to dynamics and planars, has been lack of warmth (on some models, like 009) and weight in bass. There's a guy who was using a high-end tube preamp into a $14K Eksonic T2 (direct drive electrostatic amp) to try and "flesh out" the sound. But after reporting initial success, I'm not sure he stuck with that setup. Another example: the Woo 3ES is reportedly a fancy 300B preamp stage bolted in before an Apex op-amp based direct drive circuit. The implication being that the 300B stage in this case is not really necessary; it's there to color the sound in a pleasing manner. 

In my somewhat limited experience on the matter of pre-amping a headphone amp - you can move the needle a bit in the intended direction with a preamp, but indeed I would lean to the camp that one should keep searching to choose a headphone + amp combo that is more attuned to your preferences, rather than try to add another preamp upstream. I found my "match" with a different T2 build (different HV transistors makes a HUGE difference, more than rolling the tubes in these amps) and Stax 009 headphones :) 

Most will agree (or not!) that ARC is known for quality pre-amps.  I would not be shy about buying a used one, but check the reviews.  Some are "better" than others for certain types of systems.  They started in the 1970's with the SP-3, and even those go for HUGE dollars still today.  Newer ones are improved.  I personally use an SP-6B with Maggies and it is amazingly good.  BUT, it has to sound good to YOU in YOUR ROOM.  Happy shopping!

Cheers.

Thank you everyone for your suggestions and elaborate reply! I feel so welcomed here <3 Very nice of you all!

I have been jotting down the names of these brands, and looking up where I can try all of them...seems Backert and ARC are rated pretty highly here!

@bdp24 I've come across EAR Yoshino too! Though if I don't use phono, is 912L still worthit, or 868L will be more good for buck?

@celtic66 I've actually used Luxman's DA-250 some time ago. It had great sound except a rather weak bass XD. Which model would you suggest? Given that their CL-1000 costs like 14k in my place lol

@optimize I would like to get into speakers one day as well. The prices of housing in my city is just crazy. We're talking about an average of 2k per sq. ft. and so. my room is just too small to create a good setup :P

@yoyoyaya I'm currently using Stax T-8000 amp and SR-009 (BK version if it make a difference). I've never tried out a BHSE due to lack of distributor, but T-8000 dtill delivered a good sound imo, good treble, vocal. Dynamic and bass was lacking a little, but improved (especially the bass) as I rolled some Telefunken CCA tubes. Currently a happy man, but just want to go even further by adding some sweetness and dynamic!

@mulveling hello! Your opinion on RP-9 here was part of why I got interested in this preamp! Fact that it could keep up with a Ref 6 SE (despite less warmth) was great! It must be nice to have a T2 as well, and I'm jealous haha. The reason I've been looking for a preamp is that, reportedly (in some local forums) the T-8000 would benefit much with a good preamp. In fact even when I was trying out T-8000 with BYPASS on, connected to a DAC/AMP combo (burson conductor 3), there was some improvement already. That gives me a high expectation on what a good, decidated preamp can do to this amp!

Again thanks all!

There's a used deHavilland ultraverve on USAM which is a steal and huge value. That's where I'd go.

@cming0038 

Thanks, you forgot the part were I said that there is also a filter for headphones 🎧 😜😀