High end stereo preamps? Worth it?

Look no further than the Audio Illusions Modulus 3B w the Curl MC phono stage. I’ve tried a lot of the above pre amps, and the M3B is, by far, the best for the money (did someone say best?). 
Disclosure: Currently running Lamm ML2.1s, ARC CD9se, and W/P 8s. 

Paul McGowan used to think that the best preamp is no preamp, i.e. only level control. He's a convert. He's a firm believer that "a great preamp is essential. Its contribution to overall sound quality cannot be ignored." 

If you're into DIY you can build a preamp pretty cheaply that matches, and in some ways exceeds, the specs of any of the high end preamps, and has a sterling reputation for audio quality.
https://audiokarma.org/forums/index.php?threads/high-gain-opamp-based-preamp-for-low-output-mc-cartr...

  It's really only jewelry! lol 
.  i get that all the time  when i drive my SS  next to a Mustang GT ..
 It's really only jewelry!

Hi-end preamps absolutely make a big difference. Sorry to inform you but I’ve found that a great preamp will sound much better than a very good preamp. Now the right question to ask, which are the great preamps.   You cannot go by price as that can be very
misleading. I personally found that the best way for me to find a top performing component was to ask die-hard friends of mine that been in this hobby for AT LEAST 30 YRS for their top picks.