Tube pre-amps $3500 under to add "warmth"

Used Joule-Electra LA-100 mk. 3.

Incredibly musical preamp, seemingly often way underpriced in the used market (two currently available at $1795 / $1750 and I've seen others lower than that in the past).

I would add conrad johnson to your list. Not sure whether or not they are warm sounding but they are certainly very musical.

Chuck

Re the Conrad-Johnsons, if you can find a used Premier 17LS2, for around $3K or so, grab it. This thing is supremely musical with your "touch of warmth" to boot. Note I'm talking about the 17LS2, not the 17LS. the "2" sold for $6K new, the plain version was $4.5K and was well worth the difference sonically. Plus you get a great remote, plenty of inputs and outputs, and it ain't bad looking. Good luck, Dave