Well, I can highly recommend the Ayre K-1XE preamp.
It has very good (albeit optional) phono boards, and an optional remote as well. (The remote will control the volume and muting only.) The used price is around $4,000-4,500 used. New it is $8,600.
While I don't think I would say it is tube sounding, I will say it is not really solid state sounding either. It is very, very neutral, not really having any sonic effect on the sound at all. It is a very musical preamp, (great soundstage and imaging), and if you check all the reviews, you will see that it is highly respected as one of the very best solid state preamps available.
(I too grew old of the tube preamp problems, (tube noise, tube replacement, etc.) which is why I went with the Ayre. I have absolutely no regrets, and have no plans on upgrading.)
My two cents worth.
Good Luck in your search
It has very good (albeit optional) phono boards, and an optional remote as well. (The remote will control the volume and muting only.) The used price is around $4,000-4,500 used. New it is $8,600.
While I don't think I would say it is tube sounding, I will say it is not really solid state sounding either. It is very, very neutral, not really having any sonic effect on the sound at all. It is a very musical preamp, (great soundstage and imaging), and if you check all the reviews, you will see that it is highly respected as one of the very best solid state preamps available.
(I too grew old of the tube preamp problems, (tube noise, tube replacement, etc.) which is why I went with the Ayre. I have absolutely no regrets, and have no plans on upgrading.)
My two cents worth.
Good Luck in your search