top 5 preamps under $1,200

Mapletree 2A os first rate. Tube regulated power supply in a separate chassis, point-to-point, and 6sn7 or 12sn7 (cheaper NOS)with the flip of a switch. Previously owned CAT, Lamm, ARC, Dodd, and Joule - all wonderful, but this little preamp, $800 with blackgate filter capacitor upgrade should not be dismissed because it is not $5-8K; it will suprise the heck out of you...

But for me the best preamp, at any price is the $450 Lightspeed Attenuator - limited to 1 input/output, and you need to basically use tube amps fpr high input impedance, but it is the best I have heard for my taste.

A second vote for the TAD 150 Sig.

I really like my TAD 150 Sig. which resides in my main rig with a TAD-60 amp. But you can't go wrong with a CJ PV10,11,12. I have a PV10 in my 2nd system with a SS amp (Classe CA100) and it sounds very nice. Rocks better than the all tube setup. I have had the CJ in my main room at times and I could happily live with it there. Before I got the TAD-60, I had a McCormack DNA-125 mated with the 150 Sig. and it was a very good match. Although I have never heard the VTL or the Peach, they always seem to be held in high regard. IMHO, if you like what a tube CD player did for your system you will be amazed at what a decent tube preamp will do. BTW, the BAT 3i might be another consideration. Many good choices under $1200 used.

I once had an Audible Illusions Modulus 3. Sounded nice but the brand new National 6922 tubes only lasted about 200 hours. Be sure to use Russian miltary spec tubes if you get the AI preamp. I acquired my mint VTL 2.5 (no phono stage) locally for just $775. Very happy with it for money spent. The TAD 150 Signature did not have quite the same detail but very close and sounded a bit warmer with a wider sound stage versus the VTL. Seriously, if you can get a TAD for $800 or so and don't care about built in phono I'd say go for it. The line stage section is very nice. Only uses (2) 12??7 tubes so tube rolling is fairly cheap. Tube life also not a concern. Best of luck.

"I've seen audilble illusions module 3 and/ rogue 99 go for $800, which is better? Is it value added to spend $300 more on VTL?"
dvdgreco,
I would suggest the VTL,too,although I think they all are very good preamps. But here's some more info that might help you decide if the $300 is worth it:
1. Both the AI and Rogue99 have separate power supplies. Usually a positive thing but thought you'd like to know in case you have space issues with another box.
2. The AI is phase inverting- meaning pos. and neg.are reversed on all signals passed through it.AI seems to think this isn't a big deal even though it will feed your amp this inverted signal and requires correcting(reversing)at the speaker terminals. AI claims they didn't want to add any "unnecessary" parts to signal paths but that logic is just lame,imho. Rogue and VTL are both regular, noninverting preamps.
3. Only the VTL has HT (Home theater) passthrough circuitry. This is only important if you want to integrate your 2channel systen into a home theatersystem either now or in the future. I'm not sure exactly how you could incorporate HT with the AI or Rogue.or if this is even relevant to your uusage.
I tried to be unbiased in the above info but, ultimately, I am biased toward the VTL. A few years ago I was searching for a tubed preamp mainly for 2 channel listening but also wanted HT passthru. I was able to try the Cary 98 and the VTL 2.5in my system. The VTL was just what I was looking for and bought a new unit from a local dealer. I swapped in NOS Mullard tubes about a year ago and this added a little more warmth without diminishing details. I'm not associated with VTL, just a very satisfied customer. Hope this helps and good luck!