Effective recommendations to add warmth & smoothness while keeping bass control

That generation of cj is best when it is an SE.   The teflon caps are a worthwhile upgrade.   

Got it, @oddiofyl.  Thanks.

Given what you’re looking for I’d be concerned the CJ may take away a little too much of the air/upper treble and would reiterate my recommendation above for the Backert Rhumba 1.3.  Another benefit I didn’t mention before is I believe you may have the option to have them upgrade it to the Extreme version in the future to bring it to a much higher level if desired.  Just my $0.02 FWIW. 

Thank you, @soix. I didn’t forget or ignore these recommendations—I just took some time to explore the CJ option that first popped up in the discussion chain. I enjoyed watching Steve’s narratives on the Rhumba 1.3, especially the tube-tube comparison versus the tube–Pass XA25 solid-state pairing. According to him, the Rhumba 1.3 sits between clean/transparent and the classic, very warm tube sound. It seems like a sound signature the CJ ET3SE might also share.

There’s also the PrimaLuna ProLogue Three/Premium tube preamp, another well-regarded alternative in a similar price range. And lastly, the Freya+. These four options are currently on my radar. It’s going to be a tough choice since I don’t have any local shops to audition them.

Tube Preamp with Solid State Amplifier is my method of choice.  I like the 3D sound stage and tube smoothness yet the drive and dynamics of a robust solid state amp that only tube amps can dream of. 

My forever amp is a McIntosh MC312 and I have been using a Cary Audio SLP-05 two chassis preamp with 6SN7 tubes and a tube rectifier.  With the right cables and tubes the smooth, polished liquid gold tone of this system is to die for.  

I recently added a recent new gen take on the classic McIntosh C22 preamp, the MK-iv.  Definitely a step into the darker, bassier realm.  

To greatly add to that sound, I swapped in a set of JJ ECC83 "MG" Tubes- WOW !!!  The "MG" stands for mid gain, which puts the gain of this tube between a 12AX7 and 5751.  THE TONE OF THIS JJ ECC83 "MG" is freaking dark and bass enhanced !  Is by far the darkest, most classic tubiest sounding tube I have ever heard !  The thing made my system slam- incredible punch and impact- and even right out of the box there was zero noise, sibilance or unclean treble- gone- !  Just a super incredible smoothness that took some time to get used to.  

If you like your sound tubey to the max, get a newer gen McIntosh tube preamp- MKIV and C2300 and up- and get a pair of these JJ ECC83 MG- best $40 you will ever spend in hifi.