What are the more subtle sounding tube preamps?

Ck out a Cary SLP 05 and invest in some premo NOS 6SN7s. 

Check out Wyetech Labs preamps using ultra fast grounded grid circuits with only 3 stages, two of which are cathode followers which means only one stage provides the gain, simple in theory

Hi Robertsong,
Rogue Audio best overall Value 
http://www.rogueaudio.com/Products_RP7.htm

Hello, Robertsong.

I'm biased because I own the first preamp I'm going to suggest. Take a gander at the Don Sachs Model 2 6SN7 preamp. Depending on what caps, tubes and connections you select, I think the price will land somewhere between $2500 and $3300. You're buying direct from the manufacturer, so there's no doubling of the price by a dealer. http://www.dsachsconsulting.com/custom%20line%20stage.html

For a bit lower price, look at Tubes4hifi.com where you'll find Models SP9, SP12, SP13, and SP14. Don's preamp in my first paragraph is an improved version of the SP14.   http://www.tubes4hifi.com/pre12.htm

My third suggestion is made by Steve Sammett of SAS Audio Labs. His 11A preamp may well be as good as Don's preamp, but I have not listened to it yet. http://www.sasaudiolabs.com/pream11a.htm

Enjoy your search!

Michael

I love my Odyssey Candella tube pre.  It is also a hybrid which reacts very well to tube rolling.  Great performance for the money.  The only downfall is no phono stage.