Hi Dbdog: I own all ARC gear (pre, phon, CD and amp) and love it!! I've tried several ARC pre-amps (SP-9, SP-16, SP-17 and Ref-3) and amps (VS 110 and VS 115). Don't know much about Bryston. Let me put something out there for you to think about. I also encourage others to weigh in too of course.
Rather than an ARC pre-amp, how about an ARC amp? I'm not sure whether the pre or the amp will contribute more to the type of "warm-tubey" sound you are looking for. If you want to think about the amp route, I suggest a VS 110. There was a VS 110 for sale on A'gon for a decent price, but I just checked and saw that it was sold. No surprise there. It's a great amp. Not to worry though because a VS 110 always comes up for sale from time to time.
If you are still bent on an ARC pre, I see that there is a SP-17 listed on A'gon for sale for $2300. It is a very good pre and will deliver a lot of what your looking for, but not everything (e.g., only SE inputs and outputs). See http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?preatube&1300766954 Check ARCDB.com for details.
Rather than an ARC pre-amp, how about an ARC amp? I'm not sure whether the pre or the amp will contribute more to the type of "warm-tubey" sound you are looking for. If you want to think about the amp route, I suggest a VS 110. There was a VS 110 for sale on A'gon for a decent price, but I just checked and saw that it was sold. No surprise there. It's a great amp. Not to worry though because a VS 110 always comes up for sale from time to time.
If you are still bent on an ARC pre, I see that there is a SP-17 listed on A'gon for sale for $2300. It is a very good pre and will deliver a lot of what your looking for, but not everything (e.g., only SE inputs and outputs). See http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?preatube&1300766954 Check ARCDB.com for details.