Best tube preamplifier for under $15k

@Three_easy_Payments. 
“I'm not sure why you'd need to spend $900 on a Freya when you have a perfectly acceptable iPhone and earbuds that sound just fine. ”
I don’t want to imitate your sound system...  I like mine just fine..  but thanks.. 

@tinear123  How did you like the Pass X-22 overall..  I’m considering the XP12 mainly because of the volume control which is used on the XS pre.  I’m happy with what I have and the flexibility... but i want to TRY a Pass preamp with my pass amp.. I haven’t heard a complete pass combo and I’m curious to give it a try...  sighs..  I’ve been Tubes all my life, but this Pass amp is making me want to try a SS pre.. thanks.

@smodtactical 
I mention some of my preamps above..  I don’t use the Freya anymore. I have a Pass XP12 currently. Another preamp I enjoyed was the Blue Circle BC3. The BAT VK5i was also one of my favorites. 

15K for a pre amp...  how much of that is just Jewelery for looks ?
Schiit Freya + is all you need.. spend the  $14.1K Left over on music..

@Keithr, Nice of you to assume what equipment I’ve owned and compared to..  I’ve been doing audio for over 50 years and spent enough to know you don’t need to spend as much as you think..
some of my previous preamps, BAT VK5i, Blue Circle BC3, Django TVC Passive (still using), Bel Canto DAC 3.5 VBS, DeHavilland, Cary audio, a couple of ones I built via AES, and others I don’t  remember..  The Freya equals or bests most of them..  While it’s not the “ultimate” preamp out there.. It’s quite good and will compete with units costing much more.. But many audiophiles need to spend more to think they’re better...

I purchased the Pass XP12 for a trial run after reading glowing reviews and hearing from a friend who owns one.  I was sent a new one, with no run in time..  The first few days it was horrible and I almost gave up on it.. then it opened up and even my prejudices and bias took notice of just how good this line stage can be.
I was pretty happy with the Freya+ until I optimized my room for audio. then I realized what was missing.. what was there was pretty good, especially for the money. Now I hear what was missing and how pin point accuracy adds to the experience. I still have the Freya and some very nice tubes, also my Django passive  w S&B trannies which is now my second favorite.. and the XP12 is getting better with time.. Longest break in ever for me..  impressive piece.. way past trial time too.. 

@jjss49 ,  Thanks for the kind words.. Still enjoying the XP12 even more as it’s fully opened up and more relaxed after one month.. 
Being tubed for many decades, This is a new experience for me..
The sound doesn’t ever expose the topology being used.. It’s just music.. very pleased..  for now.. lol. 

@smodtactical ,
I had the BAT VK5i some years ago, Hovland HP200 , Bel Canto DAC 3.5 , Django passive transformer S&B TX102, Cary slp05,
I also built a couple of preamps that Dennis Had designed and some others.. 
I haven’t heard the prima Luna preamp, it looks descent on paper, but I can’t say. The Freya+ is very good, especially at its price point, but others I tried are more resolving and accurate, IME

@smodtactical , no problem.. 
I am enjoying the XP12 very much, to the Point of asking what the XP 22 would bring me. you know how it goes, lol.
The preamp is very good as it delivers a very detailed presentation with good accuracy and imaging. It is not quite neutral, leaning to just right of neutral, the Pass sonic house sound.. It will not cover up a bad recording. I’m hearing lots of details, good dynamics.. very quiet background. The imaging is more life sized than I’m used too.. 
Not extra big and airy like my last tubed pre, this is more real. More live. It makes me turn up the volume more because everything just sounds better and more focused. It never asks the question if it’s tubed or solid state. It’s just more real. Never fatiguing or harsh. I’ve heard sweeter on top, but I’m digital front end wise, so it could be better with a good tt. So I have a bunch of NOS tubes collecting dust and it looks like it might stay that way for a good while.