Since it is working perfectly well, I've decided to mod it. My mods are based on this article from the mid 90's http://www.normankoren.com/Audio/Spice_preamp_2.html
however, vacuum tubes require little electric heaters to work, and that draws a lot of current. so much current, in fact, that you have to upgrade the power supply. that's a lot for a beginner's project, so I redesigned the circuit slightly to use mosfet transistors in the two added stages.