Please help me chose a tube preamp

As mentioned by some posters my experience the Calypso and Rhea was also disappointing. Reliability issues and the sound didn't stand up with audio press enlightning comments

Check out Don Sachs preamp. Great stuff for the price!

+ 1 on Hiphile's recommendation.  I was the third proud owner of the excellent preamp.  His newest version is three generations improved from mine.  Google Don Sachs preamp for many excellent reviews of the preamp.  It is truly outstanding preamp for around $2K.  I'd bet it would be very comparable to the Cary Audio SPL 05 for about 25% of the cost.  Both preamps employ venerable 6SN7 tubes, which is where the magic lies.  

I bought the Calypso about five years ago and have been very happy with it's performance. I'm currently having it upgraded to the "Signature" model. I like its versatility and the sound is fantastic. Like most tube preamps, it has a little tube rush, but am expecting that to be gone, upon its return. The only downside is the cheap looking remote. U would expect a company with a name of Aesthetix, to be more concerned about the aesthetics. 

I  second the Don Sachs DS-2 recommendation. Love mine, and you have a vast selection of options (XLR ins, remote volume control, and caps) to choose from. Start price is around $2k. I have owned many other tube preamps for 10x the price but this the last one I'll ever own. Throw in a good quad of CV-181s, or NOS Sylvanias, and you're good to go. These are hand-built to order and simply the best I've ever heard. They don't play well with sand amps, but then most tube preamps don't. Don's a pleasure to do business with.