You might want to take a look over at the "For Sale" forum....there is
Mr. Redpants' Demeter (which is an excellent pre ant a very good price...hel if I hadn't just picked up a HBP1 I would buy it!!) as well as a very nice Alembic F1x, which is about as tube as it gets. I know the seller of the Alembic...he takes good care of his gear, and the price is likewise very nice (you don't see many F1x's going up for sale). If you think you like the sound of the Kern, you will love the tone of the Alembic.