Pls recommend a tupe pre under 2500 for my system.

I cannot recommend the new Don Allen two tube linestage enough! It is the best I have heard, and that is including a First Sound preamp. Dramatic dynamics, air air and more air around the instruments, lots of detail, and tremendous bass with perfect pitch midrange, and it is only $800.00!

I have an Joule LA-100 and it's great. IMHO, a better choice for the OP's needs than any of the recent ARC preamps that I've heard. However, I'd try to go even further down the "tubey" road to get the result he's seeking. I suspect that an older Cary or C-J might do the trick. There probably will be some cost in bottom end control, however, if this is the chosen route. Ah, trade-offs.

Marty

Thank you for all of your suggestions.

After some positioning tweaks I've decided to work out some issues with my speakers and listening room before I try adding a tube pre to my system. First things, first.

Used VTL 5.5. I am one of those people that read all the Richard Hardesty journals on components as a way to shortcut my system build efforts. This pre-amp is very well regarded and very quiet and has a HT bypass thru. It is easily in your budget (used). Mine is paired up with a Sherbourne SS Amp and Vandersteen 2CE signatures. Great sound but makes me want to move higher up in the Vandersteen line.

Dante, addressing the room first is the smart move. If you still want a warmer sound after doing that, at this price point (used) you really should consider the Aesthetix Calypso - but know going in that you must replace the stock tubes to get what the unit is capable of delivering. If you want warm, with the correct tubes, that is very achievable. When you want more detail, change the tubes, there are lots of threads already with tube recs, so you really will not go in blind.

Already some great recs listed above and I am not trying to short sell any of them, just wanted to add one of the best preamps I have ever heard, that also happens to fit your budget.