Opportunity to buy the best Preamp... but which?

You should go to www.H-Cat.com, website of North American Products and check out the P12R preamp. You should really try to audition this preamp before you drop big bucks on another preamp. How does it sound? Like the Real Thing. MUSIC. Doesn't cost you anything to try it.

I think the guy's asking about "the best preamp" rather than "my preamp":)

In this light, I suggest you consider: for tubes the Art (which you referenced), the big Aesthetics, and perhaps a CAT.

In SS, the FM acoustics. Maybe the MBL or the Burmester...

I had the ref 2mkII and ref 3..I own the 202 Krell now. When used with the 402 amp in balanced mode, it is just about flawless...almost like being in Boston symphony hall!

Messenger all tube preamp. Yes, I own it and love it. The Messenger is a legendary piece and has taken best of the show honors at CES in 2004, 2005 and 2006. Nuff said.

Tube territory:Audio note kondo m-77 or M-1000MKII, is the best, others second line Aestethix, ARC ref3, First sound, VAC..perhaps Wavac and Shindo top of the line near Kondo
SS preamps:MBL, FM, Boulder, Rey audio, Connoisseur CTC and Soulution, best relation price/quality soulution, best absolute perhaps FM top of line.