Looking for warm tube preamp (should pair well with Pass power amp), budget $6000

Hi @smodtactical, I own three old Arics preamps. A very early 3.5 I think it is,an Unlimited ( it’s a 12a?7 based pre. Aric’s preamps are a tube rollers dream) and a Motherlode II.  I find the Unlimited to be more on the warm side than the Motherlode II. The Motherlode II is neutral with just a sprinkle of warmth. This pre is also VERY responsive to tube rolling.  I’ve never had the pleasure of hearing your Pass Labs amp,however if it has any of the same DNA as the First Watt amps,it will be a joy to listen to.  I hope I answered your questions.

      Ray

@smodtactical Just to chime in, the Super, ML II and ML XL (balanced version) are all designed for a neutral and fast sound, with enough warmth to smooth out a solid state amplifier and a couple of mods can be made to provide more of a warm sound. Takman carbon comp resistors, V Cap Odam coupling caps and a slightly lower operating voltage will achieve this. I've had several customers request this to help with taming an apparent stridency or sharpness in their systems. 

Best regards, Aric

@smodtactical

I am using a McIntosh C2300 tube pre (into a McIntosh MC152 ss) and really enjoy it. They run about $4k, and I’ve worked with Audio Classics in Vestal NY for all my used McIntosh gear - always had a great experience

I occasionally swap amps and use a Will Vincent pp EL34 - the tube/tube combination stills retains “crispness” and is not overly warm, to my ear (shout out to Will Vincent, another individual tube amp maker creating beautiful pieces for all of us to enjoy - his handle is @autospec )

Let us know what you decide & have a great day!

You might also consider a Supratek preamp. 

Thanks,

aldnorab

Aric Audio! Before I acquired the Coda Model 16, I had Aric's Motherlode paired with Pass XA60.8's and XA160.8's, and the results were sublime! Wonderful clarity, without being bright and the warmth I was seeking to round out the solid state slam.  Aric and I worked on the original Motherlode when I was seeking out TRL Audio's, The Dude. I could not find one, so Aric built a close replica based on pics and schematics that he found, and added his own expertise and knowledge to bring out what I wanted in The Motherlode.