audible illusions vs supratek, vs holoaudio vs backert


starting to re-build a system and thought I'd start with some well known budget pre-amps that are supposed to punch above their weight.  i will be playing rock cd's only through atma-sphere m60's.  speakers and cd player are still TBD.  any thoughts/comparisons on these brands.  Obviously the supratek and holo are cheaper, but still wouldn't mind some overall feedback as I have never listened to any of them.

gwng8

I have had a AI linestage (Modulus) since the last millenium.
I got some new tubes for it, but mostly just to try them… it sounds just dandy as it is, but the tubes are almost 1/4 century old.

It is an inverting preamp, so at some point one needs to flip the wires, like as is shown on the avatar with the red and black switched up.

I have seen AI listed as used equipment occasionally.