What's after Supratek

I had the VAC Renaissance w/phono. Great amp, especially for the $$$. Smooth and liquid with lots of detail and VAC has top notch customer service. I replaced it with an Aesthetix Janus, however, because I wanted more flexibility in the phono stage. The VAC has fixed gain at 35 (MM) and 60 or 65 (MC), plus load is fixed at 47 (MM) and 470 (MC), whereas the Janus has 6 or so settings that can be changed on the fly (by remote!!). Also, I've found the Janus more open and transparent and a little less "tubey." Or maybe I'm just justifying my purchase? In the end, you can't go wrong. They're both very fine.

Maybe a sot in the dark, but I have heard nothing but silly praie for the VTL 7.5 Ref, which used is still probably a but higher than $5K.. Hmmm, you have a damn nice preamp already...

Rcprince, Thank you for posting your thoughts on the H-Cat. It's refreshing to read other people thoughts on this preamp. I recently listened to one and unfortunately - didn't have the greatest results. Turns out, the unit may have been malfunctioning during the audition.

Why not go up the Supratek chain to a Grange/Cabernet? It meets all your criteria too!

Dennis,
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The Supratek circuit design has been recently substantially improved upon. I was told that the new designs are a huge upgrade over the older models.
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You might consider a new Cortese. The Cortese was a bit of a bump over the Syrah and the latest Cortese (since October) is hugely improved over the earlier Cortese.
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I have a Cortese (that I love, but 2yrs old and an older design) and I ordered a new Grange back in the fall (waiting for delivery) based on the feedback I have heard about the results of the new circuit designs.
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Rgds,
Larry