How much do I need to spend to get a preamp that sounds better than no preamp?

Another soap box rant, a blind man can see the fins are there for looks, they look a lot better than a plain square box.
http://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=151232

Cheers George

@georgehifi 
No joke! I'm pretty sure that's what I said, isn't it? I'm pointing out the foolishness in the assertion that any economy of scale has anything to do with some superfluous heatsinks, especially when their amps have sinks made from custom extrusion dies that not only aren't designed to do their job most effectively, but say the name of the brand in the profile view. I'm pretty sure their not doing that to make it sound better, move more heat, or cut the cost. 

I’m pretty sure that’s what I said, isn’t it?

No you were putting ****on the fins, and I wasn’t.
I like the fins, as I said
" they look a lot better than a plain square box."!!!!
http://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=151232

Geesh!#! read first, think, pause, then react.

The chassis seems to be used for several pieces of equipment, including amplification, so maybe it is economical ? I like the looks of the heatsinks. @georgehifi I might be ready to try an LDR unit, so what do you think ? Enjoy ! MrD.

Clicking on the links provided, looks like really cool stuff. Well executed, sensible options, and nicely made. 

BTW- extrusions are pretty cheap. Maybe the most cost effective way to build a stiff, non-ferrous box. The designs strikes me as "smart" looking at the pics, like a guy who knows what he is doing and also knows where to source materiels.