clean mic preamp

Hey all, I've been dabbling in recording both analog and digital on and off for some time, but there's still a lot I need to learn.

It's an age-old topic, but I wanted to consult the people that read this thread. I have a lot of respect for you because of your courtesy, your discerning ears, and your preference for clean sounds.

I would love to be in the market for a preamp, but that requires money. However, I would like to purchase a very nice preamp or two after I finish my current album projects.

Hi all, well, I've done a TON of reading of old threads, and need to ask this last question before I swipe the plastic.