Best 3 tube preamps under $18000?

I prefer the separates to the Ars. I like both the Joule single-ended RCA and the MP3, but if I had to choose I would proabably go with the Atma Combo, but the Joule is no slouch with the Atma M60s. I don't really feel qualified to tell you which you would prefer. If you had the Joule pre and the Atma amps, I would proabably stick with that.

The Messenger preamp is the finest I've owned and/or auditioned.

Disclaimer: mine is up for auction, but NOT for sonic reasons, I assure you.

Lamm LL2.1

(sold my Aesthetix Callisto sign. 2 weeks later)