Prima Luna or sonic frontiers or audible illusions

I have to agree. SF preamps are excellent, even the entry level ones. Given your 3 choices I would definately pick SF.

I would take the Modulus 3A first. I own a 3A and the 3B preamp so I am biased. Second choice would be the Prima Luna. I have heard a lot of their equipment and like what I hear. Last would be the Sonic Frontier as the line is no longer made. Even though the Parts Connection can service it, I personally wouldn't touch it. You should be able to pick up a nice 3A for a grand or less and it has a great phono section too.

I have always heard good things about Chris and sonic frontiers, but I would love to know what ya'll hear as sonic differences bw each pre. The prima is the most tempting bc of the exposed tubes. Aesthetically I just like the exposed tubes. However sound trumps looks by a large margin. Is the prima going to image and soundstage like the ai or sf? Is the sf or upgraded ai going to best my older ai? By what margin? I find it hard to believe I have already reached the dollar/cost threshold...

I purchased an Anthem Pre One by Sonic Frontiers to replace a Nakamichi. The phono section was very noisy despite the Johnson Bros. suggestions of numerous tube replacements. Their local dealer had to eat the cost and for an increase in price I selected the well reviewed AI M3A. After stone walling their retailer, within weeks the Johnson's took their Pre One Phono off the market releasing the non phono version only.

The AI had very limited attenuation. Four or five clicks of the stepped attenuators before it was too loud or too soft regardless of switch settings or main board revision. In a very short time the dual mono attenuation became a pain. My family hated it. The attenuators wore out in a few short years and despite an absolutely definite two week estimate for the repair it took over four months.

In my experience these are two of the shadiest manufactures I've had to deal with.

I'd suggest looking for an older used VAC pre.

Check out Rogue Audio,it has the tubes displayed!