What is a very nice sounding tube preamp?

Can't go wrong with ARC. Many in your price range used. There is benefit going with a long time industry leader in tube gear especially first time around in case customer service is needed at some point.

The VAC unit is very nice also.

EAR 864 is a great sounding pre designed by Tim de Paravicini with output transformers, balanced operation, and includes a phono stage. Should be able to find used at a good price.

Mystere CA-21 preamp is excellent- a 45 pound beautiful music maker!

Here's an alternative...build your own. Check out the #26 Preamp thread on DIYAudio, you can build a fantastic-sounding preamp for little money if you're willing to spend some time and effort. Mine came out sounding better than any commercial pre I've ever heard, and the sense of accomplishment makes it even better.

It's really a great hobby. BTW, if anyone here in near NJ and wants to hear what one of these homebrews sounds like, send me a message and you can stop by to hear.

Comments to what I've owned or heard -

* Counterpoint - SA-1000 modded by Alta Vista - warm, musical, great for $600 used. Very average unmodded but modded it's transformed to another level

* TAD 150 Signature - just sounds nice all the way around. Can't go wrong for around $750 if you find one. Although the phono stage section is not that good. Has remote

* VTL 2.5 - not as good as the TAD in my opinion. Seems to have a serious following here. Has remote

* Audible Illusions 3 - very detailed, open but not as warm as the other preamps mentioned. Cooked a quad set of NOS National 6922 tubes in < 200 hours. Tube life is better with Russian tubes. You'll be limited in tube rolling options given how hard it runs the tubes. Cost me $675 about 7 years ago. No remote

* Ming Da MC-7r - (my current preamp). This preamp cost less than any of the above mentioned preamps and betters all of them. Mine is extensively modded by Response Audio with V-caps.... Mods alone cost $900. Most folks will simply dismiss it since it's Chinese. No remote or phono stage though. This cost me just $550.

** Never tried Juicy Music Peach or Blueberry but have read they are warm, very musical

** Never tried Manley Shrimp but have read solid reviews

**** Doge 8 Clarity - friend has one running NOS Radio Technique tubes. The best preamp I've heard but at $2k too pricey for me. Has very nice phono stage, and remote. I've read reviews from owners claiming it easily competes with preamps costing thousands more.