$100,000 line stage

The philosophy and business model of AudioNote UK is interesting and is well illustrated by this recent profile
https://parttimeaudiophile.com/2017/08/12/audio-note-uk-factory-tours-and-life-in-the-fast-lane-with...

I think of them more as in the tradition of bespoke hand made artisanship and they are by no means the most expensive or exclusive, consider Dalby Audio Design, an even more extreme and expensive outfit

Thanks for the link. If I were a high paid athlete, I would be all over this stuff

Well perhaps the take away from that review is, how important a good preamplifier is. This piece is often just an afterthought. 

The Audio note from Japan is better and costs less not cheap though but a wonderful sounding preamp probably one of the best out there.

Why so judgmental of how other people choose to spend their money?

Because 99% of them are just "glitz queens", who have no idea of what good sound is and how to achieve it. They think because it looks a million dollars it must sound good and argue the point without any merit..

Cheers George.