Kora makes a nice tubed pre-amp, called the Equinoxe, I believe. I had very good success with its predecessor, the Triode. I ran the Triode with both the (SS) Plinius SA-100 and the (SE) Melos MAT-185, both with good success. There is a Triode for sale on the Audiogon right now for $400, I think.
What's a Triode configuration?
It was suggested that for future consideration that if I upgrade, that the selection of a Triode preamp with Solid State regulation combined to a Solid State Amp would be a better musical combo to me. My dreams are to look for Audio Research when I do but, would an AR pre amp fit this description? or would I be considering some different brands? as I don't know the differences or how to distinguish them when referring to tube equipment?