I agree with the suggestion for a tube preamp. It has been the single biggest improvement in my system. I can't speak to the "accuracy" of the sound, but the increased warmth made me want to listen longer than with a solid state unit.
Which pre should I choose?
There are two Pre in our 2nd hand market. One is Accuphase C-290 (selling at: US$3300) which start to produce in 1993. The other is Accuphase C-275V (selling at: US$2600) which start to produce in 2000. My power is Accuphase CA-47 to drive Dynaudio Countour 1.3SE. I like warm & thick & not to fast sound. Do you have good ideas? I prefer to listen to classical music mostly.