Best preamp for my system.

Hi Bullot, if HT bypass is mandatory, and you are more into tube domains, the VTL Ref7.5/7.5mkII is a great pre-amp and seems one possible option. However, if true quality sounding SS you are after, you can't go wrong with any of the FM Acoustics offerings, audition FM 245, or even their base FM 155--they may be diminutive in size, and design wise, 'simply' a far cry from the likes of MBL 6010D, but I'll wager you'll be pleasantly surprised by the performance. Browse through their website and users' testimonials. Goodluck.

The FM 245 should be around the 20k mark, FM 155 rrp I assume to be below 10k. Three fellow A'goners have quite recently made these worthwhile discoveries. Teck5--155, Spike1--245 and Flashunlock--255mkII, you might just want to look them up and have them share their thoughts and insights.

Bullot, I have owned and lived with both the VTL Ref7.5 and ARC Ref3 in succession of 3yrs+ each ('01-'08). Although found them to be good satisfactory pre-amps, they are simply not in the same league to that of FMA 245. In the three separate different instances and set-ups which I know of, owners traded their Ref3 within minutes of a side-by-side comparisons (four including me).

Opinions and reviews aside, you owe it to yourself to find means and have a first hand experience to compare them directly yourself--ARC Ref3 vs MBL 6010D vs FM 245--best in your own system prior to any decision. Bad news is that, for the price--they don't even have a remote! ;)