Top ten tube preamps

I can only rank based on what I've heard in my system:

1) SMc Audio VRE-1
2) Lamm L2 Reference
3) Conrad Johnson CT5
4) Lamm LL2 Deluxe
5) First Sound Presence Deluxe II
6) Atma-Sphere MP-1 MK III
7) ARC Reference 3
8) Juicy Music Peach
9) Modwright SWL 9.0SE
10) Audio Horizons TP2.1 Balanced

My SMc Audio VRE-1 preamp is headed back from Steve McCormack after receiving some updates. He says the result is more high end extension, and more transparency. I don't know how more extension and transparency is possible in the VRE-1, but I trust Steve to deliver what he claims.

05-17-10: Keithr
I don't understand why the McCormack preamp went from 7500 to 15k. can someone clue us in?

It was initially sold directly to the customer by SMc Audio. Now, it's distributed by the Lotus Audio Group and sold through retail dealers, so there are two additional levels of mark-up.

We'll see, Keithr. At this point, the VRE-1 appears to be priced with it's competition.