$8000 budget on Pre-amp

Thank You all for your responses.
Here's where I'm at, I've demoed the BAT VK-33, Manley 300B, ARC LS27 and to date the BAT is hands down the best pre-amp of the bunch, way more inner detail and sound stage.
I'm having trouble finding a VAC, Shindo or Herron dealer near me(Chicago).

SoraSound in Chicago carries VAC as well as Rowland. See the list of VAC dealers at:

Guido
http://www.vac-amps.com/pages/USdealers.html

Bigiron2: I use a BAT VK-300se and agree it's good stuff.
Do you happen to know the vintage of the 6H30 tubes within?
I've been pondering whether to spend the $300 apiece for the
NOS military grade.

No Dweller, I'm sorry I do not

Did you ever demo the KX-5? I'm interested to see if it's anything like the KX-R Twenty given that they both use the diamond output stage.