Best Balanced Tube Preamplifier

I'm sure there will be a number of worthy contendors in the forthcoming posts. Unfortunately they will only represent "my favorite(s)".

You and your system can only determine the "best".

Good luck and be prepared for some very nice recommendations.

I only know the SF Line3.

It is a fantastic machine....
I tried many different tubes,Sovtek, Electro Harminix, Jan Philips, RCA, Mullard but the real quality jump has been to replace the Digital Volume Control CS3310 with the new BB PGA2310......a new pre.
I have the 1996 version, I do not know about the last.

Again, judge with yr ears and musical preferences.
the pre is very important but it is a piece of the chain.....

BAT VK51SE doesn't sound "tubey", you can forget that one.

Cary 05 in the mix... stunning.

I dont know about the best but I used both ARC ref 3 and Cary SPL05. I took the ref 3 in as a trade from a customer. It's a great preamp, as a matter of preference, i prefer the SPL05 simply due to a slightly warmer sounding. Ref 3 is dead-on neutral.