best preamp under 4000 to match 4b sst

That is true..........and I do not want to suggest that you spend substantially more then the budget that you feel comfortable with.
Dodd is very, very competitive at its price..........that is without exaduration.
Now, in my personal opinion - it kills most out there.
Isabella might be exception ............... but personal preferences and system synergy plays the big part in choosing the right preamp.
I prefer more lush, rich, texture sound with huge soundstage, infinite layering and air.
Dodd is very neutral. Great design. Extremely quiet. Easy to roll tubes to fit your taste.
..................and it is an awesome value (keeps value as well if you decide to try something else and sell it), no doubt about it.

Mariusz

$1795.00 for a battery Dodd pre on here now. That's the lowest price I've seen for one of these.
It is a very neutral pre, but having said that I did replace one of my copper interconnects with a silver and still using the stock jjs.
System synergy is everything

I have had a dodd pre in my system for about two month now and it really sounds amazing. I also have a dodd phono stage that is also an amazing piece.

Proken where did you see you battery dodd pre on for sale at 1795? the cheapest one here on audiogon is goin for 1900$

There you go :
your chance at less

Mariusz