best preamps

Joule Electra LA range
Convergent Audio Technology 
Ayre
EAR Yoshino
Funk
Parasound JC2
Lamm
Atma-Sphere
Mark Levinson 380
Hovland
Aesthetix
First Sound

I have a Joule and I've had the Funk. For unbalanced and dollar for dollar, the Funk at $1100 is stupendously good.

unlimited budget: Exemplar Exception SE Line

Naim oy 

HmmmmDa Best?I like CJ tube pre myself. Sounds great with both tube and SS amps.

You must have a remote!

Audio Research Reference 10 linestage, Dan D'Agostino Momentum linestage preamp, Naim Statement NAC S1 linestage preamp. 
I have owned all the above 3 preamps and currently using the Naim Statement NAC S1 preamp paired with the Naim Statement NAP S1 monoblock amps. 

First I had the D'Agostino Momentum linestage preamp paired with 2 pairs of D'Agostino Momentum M400 monoblock amps driving the Wilson Audio Alexx speakers, then later on I traded in the D'Agostino Momentum linestage preamp for the ARC (Audio Research) Reference 10 linestage pre and preferred this latter combo better on the same Wilson Alexx speakers. 

And early this year I went through significant upgrades with my 2ch setup and decided to trade in both the ARC Ref 10 linestage pre and the D'Agostino Momentum M400 monoblock amps for the Naim Statement gears, which consist of Naim NAC S1 linestage preamp and a pair of Naim NAP S1 monoblock amps driving my new Magico M6 speakers.
My Naim Statement gears have great synergy with my new Magico M6 speakers. They pair really well. 

The Naim Statement gears are in different leagues and is a significant step up sonically and performance wise from the ARC Ref 10 preamp/D'Agostino Momentum M400 monoblock amps combo but the increase in prices are also significant. The Naim Statement gears are cost-no-object design gears and cost a fortune, and if you have the budget I would highly recommend them. 

arc ref10 audio note m10 pass labs xs preamp
those are the top 3 i would look into getting if I had an unlimited budgetI'd also probably get a coincident statement linestage to compare as well. irritating that it doesn't come with a remote though so i'd probably go for the above mentioned 3

The best ever? The best in a specific price point??? Do you have an unlimited budget?

I like the Atma-sphere Pre.  It has to be one of the best.

The question should be how many people post here for that will be the number of best preamp recommendations you will receive.