looking for ideas on a tube pre amp

I was in the same situation last year, substantial investment in XLR interconnects as well. I was leaning toward ARC and considering CJ, but wound up with a Primaluna Dialogue Premium. Purchased new, it left me with enough dough to pick up some RCA cables to match. I’m so pleased with the purchase. This is one component that I am likely never to sell. It’s about as solid and musical as I could imagine and a ton of fun to operate. It makes my all digital rig sound fantastic. I’d replaced a Cary with it; and though I loved the Cary, the Primaluna has the clarity of my prior SS preamps (Parasound and Ayre). Focals are fantastic- enjoy the ride..! I’d previously auditioned a slew of tube pres from CJ, Cary and BAT and really liked the BAT pres for imaging and sounds stage.I felt like the Primaluna is as good, better build quality, and less costly and finicky.

Thanks for the reply, I should have mentioned I am looking to soften the vocals without losing detail and soundstage. I will look into Prima luna.

jeff99, When listening to a Primaluna Dialogue don't over look the substantial impact tube selection can make in taking you to the tonal response you want. It can make or break it, tube selection that is. Stock tubes are rarely ever the 'last word' in potential.

Have you thought about contacting Keith Herron (Herron Audio) to see if he has a VTSP-1 trade-in that would workd for you?  IMO, that preamp, with all the latest mods, outperforms any new or used ARC preamp with a current price twice that of the Herron unit.

I used BAT VK-31se with jc-1s for a while and loved the combination. I would look at a used BAT if i was looking, I'm sure you can find a nice BAT in your price range.