Top ten tube preamps

Atma-Sphere MP-1 differentially balanced line stage/phono stage. The 6SN7-based LS is fantastic. The 12AT7-based phono section beats my BAT P10, but is too noisy for cartridges with less than .5mv gain. When taken together as an integrated preamp the unit is great value at $10K.

Second the Atma-Sphere MP-1. Detail, imaging, sound-staging, musicality are awesome. When matched with an AS amp, even better. Not cheap, but worth it.

1. Shindo Giscours
2. Shindo Masseto
3. Tron Syren (although phono stage is even better)

My favorites of the 30-40 preamps I have heard thus far are:
Kondo M1000 mk2 and I am sure the other two are nice as well
New Audio Frontiers Absolute mk2
ARC Reference 3
Ayon Spheris

There are some others I have ehard that are really nice, but not quite my cup of tea.

Others I want to hear that I feel would become favorites once heard:
Shindo Giscours and the like
Tron Syren
Allnic Audio L-4000
"The Messenger"
CAT Legend
VTL 7.5 mk2
Einstein "The Tube"
CJ Art 3
Wyetech Opal

TRON Syren - another vote for a top preamp from a top boutique UK tube designer, Graham Tricker.

Charlie