Best Preamp under $5k??


I think around $5k is the reflection point of value/price ratio for preamps--or mostly any audio equipment maybe except speakers--where beyond this point, you would have to spend thousands more to improve just a little. What is the best preamp under $5k--tube or solid state?? Some popular ones are sf line 3, bat vk5i, arc ls25, simaudio p-5, plinius m16. Personally I have a cj pfr which I like quite a bit, but sooner or later it will be upgraded...
madnut
Corfedboy--I suppose the price of inflection is really relative. For the 95% of the audiophiles, perhaps $5k is the price/performance value point. Of course I cannot speak for others, this is just my observation with no hard data to prove. With my limited experience (I've only heard gear costing up to $20k), I've found that under $5k I can hear major differences between gears. With gears above $5k, most of the time there are definite improvements, but these improvements are not really "cost justified" from my perspective for the performance gain...by the way what do you recommend as the best preamp under 5K corfedboy?
My vote is for the Joule-Electra LA-100 Mk III linestage, a truly musical reproduction instrument.
i like my melos music director - this listed for $4600 w/o fono, $7400 w/fono. i picked mine up (w/o fono) for $2k used.
Muse 3 w separate power supply is the best preamp I have heard for under $5k, Together with MUSE 9 sig CDP it makes great music in my system
Once again, I second the ARC LS25. Just wish it had detachable power cord. Power supply in this unit is incredible. Mated with Music Reference RM200 tube amp it is the best of both worlds...for now.