OK...I'm getting ready to buy a new Phono pre amp.

You should try one of Graham Tricker's amps (GT Audio). He has a long pedigree in tube amps and has a small but committed group of devotees. You can find his stuff on http://www.tron-electric.com. I think Jim Smith from Avantgarde USA distributes his gear.

I have heard his tube set up at his house several times. He uses them with a Platine Verdier, Schroeder Reference, Allaerts MC2 Formula and Avantgrade Trios (he is the UK AG distributor). When you turn the volume pot full on phono with the Trios (107 db/W) , all you get is silence. Not only are they deadly quiet, they sound great too. I'm going to buy a Comet soon and sell my JC Verdier Control B. They can come as two box or one box pre-amps (with the phono stage built in). In the UK the one box Comet costs about £3k. The better Meteor costs £6k.

In response to Raul,
1. the Tron preamps are now available as a one box item as opposed to a separate line stage and phono stage.
2. there is a lot to be said for transformers providing they are of high quality and shielded correctly
3. remember you should use your ears when evaluating equipment. I used to sell hi-fi with Ken Kessler - before he became a critic and I became a surgeon. I know what I like - that's live music. The Trons go a long way to getting there. They're also supremely quiet - not only for a tube preamp, but also as quiet as a good solid state set up! You don't believe me - then have a listen.