6sn7 and 12sn7 octal preamp for under $5k

Hi Phil,
Do you prefer the Melody or the Valvet? How would you decide which would be a better match for a system? I respect your ears as you and I have similar taste ( meaning I have listened to your advice in the past and have come to appreciate your words of wisdom:)). Also have you heard the Modwright LS-100? If so, could you compare and contrast them all?
Thanks in advance,
Morgan

Thanks Phil. That helps me a lot actually and also just hearing the way you interpret the system helps me understand how to better make improvements across my system. I believe that I have quite an uneven dynamic response ( I interpret this to mean that certain songs sound great at times, and then with changes in dynamics, I get a huge volume swing and feel the need to turn the song down for a few seconds), and the tone of my system is a bit off with regards to stringed instruments. That may be a reflection of the change in speakers from Zu to Tekton, but it could be the change in Pre and amp also. I will definitely keep this in mind going forward. Thanks again.......