Karl...I would think if you want to stay in SS land that exploring ML pres would make a lot of sense. I think Ayre always offer excellent products at relatively good value. Another brand to consider that is just picking up some steam in the US but that has been around for a while and seems to offer great products at great value is Hegel. Check out this letter to the folks at Soundstage.com and check out the reference to the P30 preamp from Hegel:
Hegel is the One to Beat
I am not sure what the price is on the P30 but it seems to offer great value and seems to offer the strength of SS offerings with the positives of tubes all at a great price:
