Preamps w/ best transparency/top end, no brightnes

Opus88, I certainly would generally agree with your initial posting. I entirely concure with the comments about the Shindo gear also, although I have never owned any of the electronics. I have also heard an extraordinarily good Exemplar tube unit. I would say, however, that there are definitely poor performing tube phono and line stages and exceptional solid state units. My old TAG was one, but my present H-Cat P-12R is truly exceptional in terms of imaging and accuracy across all frequencies.

I can vouch that the VAC Ren Sig II delivers what you've described in spades in my system.....

Ayre K-1xe with there phonostage.(which is very good)