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

I own two of Aric Audio products. One the Special preamp which I purchased from Aric as a demo and the other the Transcend KT88 PP bought used here on AG for ~30% of  current retail. I love both as highly valued great sounding pieces. 

My experience is that Aric is most congenial in his dealings, honest about his products, transparent in his advise, generous with his time and knowledge, and enjoyable to talk with. 

Should I ever own a truly efficient speaker I would not hesitate to purchase one of his SET amplifiers. I believe that his products will hold value as well as any.  Customer support is as good as any. 

It is known by most in this hobby that if one orders a made on demand, one of a kind component, that it would have limited resale market value should it be put up up for sale. 

Last summer I was on the hunt for my forever preamp.  I figured I would purchase new,since this was going to be the one.  I had it narrowed down to Don Sachs, Supratek Chardonnay, or an Aric Audio Transcend 6SN7 Line Stage.  I decided against the Sachs solely on the wait time. Now it was down to two choices.  The only other new piece of gear I’ve ever purchased was Aric’s Unlimited preamp.  I had decided at that point I was going to reach out and order from Aric. Literally,right after making that decision,a Motherlode II came up for sale on this site. It was a bit of a stretch budget wise,but it was definitely the right decision.  Aric has always been responsive to any questions.  His gear is top notch. I differ from most folks. When I purchase gear,I look at how the gear will improve my enjoyment only.  Some look at resale in six months,because there is always that itch to scratch. Aric has been around long enough where his gear is getting the reputation it deserves. I feel he makes true high end gear,at human prices.  I’m not saying that there aren’t other great manufacturers out there,because there certainly are. If folks are only interested in getting as much as they can on resale, I think they are already making a compromise.  Remember,you might be ruling out the better gear,simply because there aren’t tens of thousands of used sales records in which to refer. 
 

    Ray 

A BLACK ICE F360...2 friends have purchased this based on what they heard in my system.

It took a THORESS DUAL PURPOSE Preamp to better it!!!

Have a look at the old and new top of the line Canary preamplifiers. Right at the moment there is a new old stock four chassis 803-804 preamplifier for sale on eBay. Each power supply is in its own box as well as each channel is in its own box. Rectifier tubes larger transformers. One of the best in the world in my opinion. 

Regards

@aricaudio thanks for the clarification and sorry you are right msrp was $11,500 on the 300b amp. I have nothing but respect for you and your work.