Well if you want that beaming analytical presentation I'd stay with the Bryston...these words are not meant as a knock because MANY people WANT this sound. If you're looking for a slightly mellower or sweeter top end then tube options are abound - but also note many tube preamps today measure just as flat as SS...Stereophile reviewed one recently and it issupposedly flatter than many SS units.

I would like to hear the sugden Hedmaster preamp headphone amp because Sugden is one of the few SS amp makers that don't posess the SS grain...it is about $1300.00 Cdn (includes remote) and available at Plurison in Canada I believe. I am looking for one used as a two fold upgrade over my ASL headphone amp and also an upgrade to the integrated.

If headphones are not your bag you may want to go another route for extended preamp features. There are simply too many variables and preferably you should take it home to try.

Buying used will have your dollar go way further - I would not buy a new preamp if it is widely available since you could probably get one 40-70% cheaper on the used market...and if you choose a good one it will probably lat 40-50 years hardly making the warranty matter anyway.