Tube preamp with great pace?Cary, Supratek, etc.?


I am thinking seriously of moving to a tube preamp with the hope of breathing more life into my system. But I love the rhythmic core of music - call it PRAT, call it whatever - it is what grabs me, involves me, and keeps me up way, way too late listing to old LPs. I am afraid that without good, acurate pace, I don't care how "airy," "organic" or "blooming" the sound is, it just isn't musical to me. But if it can be combined with great pace, the tube sound is exactly what I am looking to add to my system.

So far, I've only been able to borrow a Rogue Magnum 88 to try in my system, and it was just too slow. I am considering a Cary SLP 98P, a Supratek Chenin, or perhaps a Herron VTSP1A/166. If anyone has heard these or any other tube preamp with good pace, please comment. Comparisons between them would be particularly welcome. My price range right now is 2K to 3K used, but if you know of something that is wonderful in this regard that costs more, I still want to hear about it.

There are few tube options available for me to audition in my area, and so generous Audiogoners, your input is greatly appreciated.

P.S. If you live in south-eastern Michigan and have a tube amp you are willing to let me hear, I offer in exchange lunch at the Ann Arbor restaurant of your choice.
newmanoc
Yes I've heard a complete NAIM system. Great PRaT.

I will put Keith Herron's preamps and amps up against NAIM any day of the week.

The Cary preamp is a lovely sounding piece, but I wouldn't say PRaT is one of its virtues.

I would say the Herron Preamps and amps have great rhythm and timing. The music sounds..."alive" through Keith's elctronics. Not "golden" or "euphonic" but "alive". That's the key to PRaT IMO.

I use both the VTSP-1 preamp and the M150 mono amps.
I would put the Wright WLP20 on your list if you haven't purchased something yet. I just bought a used one and my foot is a tappin'. Much better rhythm than either my Dynaco PAS which I really enjoy and certaimly better than my ASL AQ 2006DT. Bass is tighter and deep, highs are spectacular and the PRAT is all there. I live in Royal Oak about 20 min. north of Detroit if you want a listen.

Dave
WntrMute2@aol.com
Newmanoc - Supratek Cabernet works for me. Fast leading edge transients, deft microdynamics and wonderful tone are some of the standout qualities with this preamp. Macrodynamics through the Cabernet seem stellar also but my speakers aren't the best when it comes to reproducing large scale so that opinion is shared with some reservation.

I haven't owned anyother DHT preamps but I've been told that these characteristics are found in other DHT preamps as well.