I listened to a number of tube preamps in the $7K to $10K range ($15K is outside of my budget) and landed on Balanced Audio Technology (BAT). What a fantastic design philosophy, and sonically it delivers a phenomenal soundstage with imaging that is a mile deep. Sonically I find that everything about it is, well, just right. The VK-33SE is $10K but you can go up from there to the VK-53SE at $15K.
They do operate with a remote, which comes in the box. A very well made, all aluminum remote that is not cluttered but has just the right amount of function controls. A very cool feature on the remote is a "fade mute" function. One touch button and the volume fades away rather than a hard mute (though there is a total mute function, too). You only realize how wonderful that feature is once you have it. The preamp features are great, but it's the sound quality that got me. I am surprised not to have seen others mention the BAT brand. It's very well reviewed and regarded in this industry.
They do operate with a remote, which comes in the box. A very well made, all aluminum remote that is not cluttered but has just the right amount of function controls. A very cool feature on the remote is a "fade mute" function. One touch button and the volume fades away rather than a hard mute (though there is a total mute function, too). You only realize how wonderful that feature is once you have it. The preamp features are great, but it's the sound quality that got me. I am surprised not to have seen others mention the BAT brand. It's very well reviewed and regarded in this industry.