After a year long obsession, and lots of too-ing and fro-ing over exactly what to get, the choice came down to a Studio .22+ combo, a Mk3 or a Studio preamp.
Well the winner was the studio preamp. Mainly because I don't have access to an amp tech in China for servicing and the Studio pre should get me 80% of the way there tonally with no compromises.
The pre is in mint condition so hopefully there are years of reliability left in it still. But my amp tech in London is going to give it a service anyway because it's still old.
Can't wait to try it out...once I can get back to the UK. I'm hoping it'll be a keeper.