Boutique/custom vs production tube linestages

Check out Toodshed Amps on Instagram or FB  if you want to see some beautiful  hand made creations.   Im having Matt build me a 300b amp and possibly his DHT Preamp.   

I currently own an AricAudio Unlimited pre. I haven’t had the opportunity to match it up against any of the big boys.  I would not hesitate to order from him again.  I’m very,very happy with my purchase.  
   I was thinking the other day about a future upgrade. In my mind I have narrowed it down to three manufacturers. AricAudio,Don Sachs,or Supratek.  

  As a maker of boutique (I dislike that term) preamps, the basic difference to mine (or others) is being able to customize for the purchasers needs.As an example, I recently built a preamp for a fellow who wanted the tubes visible, wanted a specific coupling cap, and wanted a special color of faceplate. All could be done for him.  As far as price to performance, often custom preamps can perform better than an off the shelf unit for less money due to less overhead. 

I've owned all manner of production tube preamps.

Lamm
ARC
CJ
deHavilland
Audible Illusions
BAT
Cary

I am currently using a Don Sachs preamp which is certainly about as boutique as they come. I never compared it directly with any of the above, as it replaced a passive LDR preamp that I had at the time. But I can say that it is a fine sounding preamp and I have no desire to go back to any of the big name companies. 

As @blackdoghifi talks about above, customization is a big part of going with the little guys. It's not cookie cutter and you can get what you want. And most of the time, you get better parts quality than what  you get with the big guys.

Oz

Thats why I liked working with Matt at Toolshed.  Mine will be a 3oob but will have a few upgrades like stepped Khozmo attenuators.  Upgraded output trannys,  silver foil coupling caps.   Transformer covers will be dark bronze hammertone.   Amp uses 0.5 % tolerance resistors throughout.  Rosewood/Figured Cherry base.   

B.O.M. is better than most anything in its price.   I spoke to a few Toolshed owners and they said it was the best amp they've ever owned , and their list of former amps included all the big boys.  Many which are beyond my reach.