Best tube pre-amp below US $ 10.000,00 ?

And to reiterate for the 10th time, I freely admit my experience with the Mercury 2 might have been due to mismatch with the Berning amp (but to be clear, three other seasoned audiophiles had the same exact impression of it IN MY SYSTEM - so it's not only my ears or the stuff between them).

I have nothing but respect for Kara and the folks at deHavilland, and it does not suprise me ONE bit that the merc would be pure sonic bliss in someone else's system! Moreover, i apprecate that they allow a 30 day listen period with full refund if the unit does not match up well with your system. More should do that.

Whats about the Lamm LL2 Deluxe?

I have to agree, the Wyetech Opal is the best I have heard.
Detail,soundstage and all instruments sound so lifelike.I picked up a used one at a great price and changed the tubes. I cannot believe the difference it made to my system as soon as switched out the SS pre. I am using a Linar 250i SS amp and Accustic Arts drive/dac to drive Gershman RX 20. I think I have found what I have been searching for all along.

Coincident Statement Linestage
Best I have heard. Convinced me for the first time, that I could live with an active linestage.Overbuilt like no other in this price catagory. Unique in it's design.
See my review
http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?rprea&1255282697

Artg
Just a miss match. I trust you ears. It is OK.