Line Stage Preamps that blew you away $2500 Edition

Mullard 6201 is a ruggedized 12AT7 made for the British Military 

I am trying to decide whether to keep my CJ Classic 2SE or my Sonic Frontiers SFL-1 for a second system.  I do like how the 3 varieties of 12AT7 in the SFL-1 sounded.  Can’t really say that about the 6922 I’ve used in the CJ.   NOS 6922 are $$$ and new production leaves only a few choices.  

If you really love Dons preamp I would caution you about switching to SS ....   I think you will spend a lot more to better it with a SS .   My  “end game” solid state would be something by DartZeel or Dan d’agostino or something along those lines 

Why?   Because that is the caliber of solid state gear that I think really beats or equals the best tube gear I can ever hope to own , or own

@abd1 funny I,too was looking at the Kinki preamp. I’ve been super interested in the Holo Serene (used).

As for Don Sachs, I’m on the list but there’s no guarantee my number gets called. He’s semi retired and so he mentioned possibly next spring. Was pondering holding out until then to see if I get lucky or just research it to the point of madness and take a stab at something now.

Some things are worth the wait, plus that’s not a lot of money when you think about it.   I am having an amp built.  No date promised , but that’s ok because it’s only a couple of months away .   I got on the tail end of the 2021 queue , there are a few pieces ahead of me.  Mines in progress, I’ve seen pics of the  casework and it looks awesome.  
 

If you stay on Dons list someone may grow impatient and drop out ....