Need advice on a tube line stage


I'm looking to add a tube line stage to the herd. It will partner with a Bryston 4B SST2 amp through Thiel CS2.4 and GoldenEar Triton 2 loudspeakers. Primary source is a Cambridge Audio 840C CD player.

Budget is ~ $1,500 up to maybe $2,500 (but that end of the budget would probably force me to sell my current Parasound JC2).

Some options appear to be:

Trancendent Sound Grounded Grid (new $900)
Audio by Van Alstine Transcendence 9 (new 1,400)
Modwright SWL 9.0SE (mint used $1,450)
Quicksilver Remote Control Line Stage (new $1,600)
Audio by Van Alstine FET Valve CF (new $1,900)
conrad-johnson Classic 2SE (new $2,200)
Audible Illusions L3 (new $2,500 with some $ voodoo)

I would like a slightly more liquid presentation than I currently get with my current rig. More "musical". I no longer value extreme transparency as much as I did, partially because I'm no longer mixing records and don't need my system to double as a reference. That said, I don't want anything overly soft or veiled.

Thoughts?
Ag insider logo xs@2xja2austintx
Ja2-

great choice on the ModWright, second on the Conrad Johnson. Either one will provide you with the needs of your existing system. Keep me posted & Happy Listening!
Springbok how would you describe the differences between the Tad 150 and the Avant? I've been thinking of changing preamps lately.
I suggest the Exemplar Audio Exception line stage. There is one currently on this site. You could probably get in it for $2500. Very musical with that liquidity that will blow your mind.
The Modwright is pretty neutral. Not obviously tubed sounding and I think a very good value. It was not embarrassed when I got one to use while a $10K VAC was in the shop. Excellent customer service, too.
If you are interested having a tube preamp custom built with the options you want, we do a lot of custom builds. Of course doing comparisons going this route is not possible.